Latest COVID-19 immunisation information for residential aged care facilities
Current Situation
From 17 September 2021, it will be mandatory for all residential aged care workers to have received a minimum first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
WAPHA is collecting information on how some RACFs are planning to help staff meet this deadline.
WAPHA is gauging interest from general practice regarding the ongoing vaccination of RACF staff and residents.
Reporting workforce COVID19 vaccination status
Mandatory reporting started 15 June for all providers of residential aged care services to report and provide weekly updates every Tuesday on the COVID-19 vaccination status of aged care staff.
All providers are strongly encouraged to start reporting now.
The new reporting requires approved providers to record de-identified data at a service level on the:
- total number of workers at each aged care service, and of those,
- the number of workers at each service who have received a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- the number of workers at each service who have received all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
As a reminder, for providers with staff at multiple sites, workers are encouraged to be reported against their main sites but it is accepted that there will be some duplication.
Home and community aged care providers are encouraged to report their information voluntarily now. This reporting will become a requirement for home and community aged care providers in coming weeks.
Request for Tender (RFT) process is open until 30 July
Some RACFs might prefer to provide their own vaccinations. The RFT has been extended until 30 July 2021.
The Department has simplified the tender process for providers including removing the requirement for a provider to vaccinate across five sites. There is now no minimum site requirement but providers must be able to administer a minimum of 100 doses.
Participating aged care providers can either use their own qualified staff to provide vaccinations, or sub-contract to a vaccination provider.
More information about this RFT, including detail on how to apply, can be found on AusTender.
Role of the Primary Health Networks (PHNs)
- WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) operates WA’s three Primary Health Networks – Perth North, Perth South and Country WA.
- PHNs across Australia are assisting in the coordination, planning and delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
- WAPHA is assisting the Australian Government in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout for people in residential aged care facilities
- Subscribe to our RACF newsletter here
- Contact WAPHA if you require any further information
Immunisation updates and useful links
Immunisation Updates
- 22 July Special COVID-19 update
- 16 July update
- 9 July update
- Subscribe to updates here
Useful links for providers
- WAPHA has developed a contact list External RACF Rollout Reference Key Contacts List. This document should be read in conjunction with the triage process and scenario mapping for residential aged care facilities document.
- Information and resources for RACFs are available from the Australian Department of Health
Resources for families and carers
- If residents or family would like more information about the COVID-19 vaccines, they can phone the national helpline: 1800 020 080.
- There is information about the COVID-19 vaccines available on the Health Direct website.
Information for GPs working in RACFs
- GPs will now be able to be paid a call-out fee for their initial attendance at a RACF, residential disability facility setting or a patient’s place of residence
- Subscribe to WAPHA’s COVID-19 Vaccination Update
- GPs who have questions about the rollout should contact WAPHA.