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Vaccination rates in residential aged care facilities for COVID-19 and influenza are low.
Aged care facilities are responsible for ensuring that residents have access to the recommended vaccine dose as soon as they are eligible and are also expected to offer staff influenza vaccinations.
COVID-19 vaccinations are free and recommended every 12 months for people aged 65 and over and every 6 months for people aged 75 and over and adults who are severely immunocompromised.
The influenza vaccines are free under the National Immunisation Program for people aged 65 years or over. ATAGI guidelines allow both vaccines to be administered on the same day.
Where risk of respiratory illness transmission is high, it may be necessary to apply restrictions to visitors in line with the Industry Code for Visiting in Aged Care Homes.
The Commission’s Visitor access page provides information and resources for providers, workers and people living in aged care homes and their families to safely manage visitor access while minimising the risk of social isolation.
If you or someone you care for is having issues accessing vaccines or visitors during periods of visitor restrictions, please speak to an ADA advocate on 1800 700 600.