THE federal government has now made COVID-19 vaccination rates of aged care residents publicly available, in a bid to increase vaccination uptake as part of the government’s Winter Plan.
Since the beginning of August, the aggregated data for each residential aged care home has been made available in both a list and interactive map.
The data will be updated weekly on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website.
The government said that at the start of June, less than 60 per cent of residents had a fourth COVID-19 dose, but vaccination rates have increased to 78.8 per cent of eligible residents in aged care facilities.
According to the map, the percentage of residents with three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, is 80-89 per cent in Wellington Shire, as well as Latrobe Valley and East Gippsland. The percentage of residents with four doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, of those who received a third dose over three months ago, is 70-79 per cent in all three shires.
The map has information for nine aged care services in the Wellington Shire. The data suggests that a number of the services exceed a 70 to 79 per cent fourth dose rate, and some report fewer than that.
Director of Clinical Governance at Sale Elderly Citizens Village, Leah Adams, confirmed the accuracy of the 50-59 per cent fourth dose rate for Ashleigh House Hostel in Sale.
“The (Department of Health and Aged Care) creates an aggregate statistic based on the vaccination data that we report every week on the vaccination status of our residents,” Ms Adams said.
Asked about the fourth dose rate, Ms Adams said there was a range of factors that contributed to a lower rate.
“If a resident has not yet had their third dose (some cannot for medical reasons or if they choose to refuse) then they are not eligible for a fourth dose, and therefore this will change the statistic,” she said.
“Some residents have chosen not to have a fourth dose. This is their choice and their right to make this decision. It is not mandatory for residents to be vaccinated.
“Some residents have had COVID within the last three months and are currently medically excluded from having a fourth dose until three months has elapsed from their positive date.
“For some residents it is not medically appropriate for them to have another vaccination (receiving palliative care for example). This decision is made in conjunction with the resident, their families and the GP.”
Ms Adams said they help residents with accessing vaccinations to keep them up to date through a visit from GPs, visiting local clinics or vaccination clinics run onsite.
“We have partnered with one of the local clinics to hold another onsite vaccination clinic (as) soon as practicable to enable easier access for those residents whom still wish to have a fourth dose and whom have previously not been able to be vaccinated,” she said.
Crossley House Hostel in Yarram lists both third and fourth doses rates as 67 per cent to 100 per cent, but confidentiality is understood to have affected the numbers, among other factors.
Yarram and District Health Service Director of Clinical Services Sally Weatherley said that all their residents at Crossley House had had their fourth dose, except for those who chose not to take it up.
“We offer a fourth dose on admission if someone new comes in,” Ms Weatherley said.
“Unlike other health services, we don’t have to wait for any external company or party, we have the vaccines available.”
Ms Weatherley also said that a number of beds at the facility were not used as they were “not suitable” for aged care residents.
“The data is not reflective of the situation in Crossley.”
Royal Freemasons chief executive John Fogarty confirmed the accuracy of the data, 50 per cent to 59 per cent for fourth doses for Sale facility.
“The numbers of fourth-dose COVID-19 vaccinations are low at the moment, primarily because we had a number of outbreaks in our homes. People who have contracted COVID-19 are required to wait three months before they can receive an additional vaccination,” Mr Fogarty said.
“Changing resident numbers and the fact it is not mandatory are additional factors contributing to the low percentage.”
Central Gippsland Health (CGH) chief executive Mark Dykgraaf was asked to comment on the accuracy of the 60 per cent to 69 per cent for fourth doses at Laurina Lodge in Heyfield.
“I do not think it is appropriate to comment on the maps given they are only a moment in time and not something that CGH produces,” Mr Dykgraaf said.
“I can confirm that two of our four nursing homes are sitting above 80 per cent for fourth dose vaccinations. The remaining 20 per cent are residents either choosing not to be vaccinated, delaying vaccination for various reasons or waiting to recover post a viral illness before choosing to vaccinate.
“I can also confirm that two of our four facilities have had delayed vaccination programs because of COVID-19 outbreaks in those facilities. We continue to work closely with residents and their families encouraging vaccination.
“We do not require assistance with our vaccination program and have been pleased with progress to this point in time.”
Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells said the now-public information on third and fourth dose vaccination rates would drive further vaccination rates in the sector.
“COVID-19 vaccination rates have risen significantly since Minister Mark Butler and I jointly wrote to aged care providers urging them to support residents to access a fourth dose,” Ms Wells said.
“I strongly encourage aged care providers to continue to organise fourth doses as soon as residents are eligible, to ensure they have maximum protection.”
The vaccination information is drawn from the Australian Immunisation Register.
The published information does not take into account the eligibility of aged care residents for a COVID-19 vaccine following COVID-19 infection.
Each residential aged care home’s vaccination rate is published as a range, for example 80-89 per cent, to protect residents’ privacy. Some homes have limited data available as confidentiality has been applied.
Privacy laws and policies relevant to electronic publishing of health data also apply to the publication of aged care residents’ COVID-19 vaccination rates.
To see the map, visit https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/residential-aged-care-residents-covid-19-vaccination-rates/map
Percentage of residents who have received four doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, of those who received a third dose over three months ago (data week of publication, please see website for up to date information).
Aged care facility %
Ashleigh House Hostel, Sale 50-59
Crossley House Hostel Inc, Yarram 67-100*
J.H.F. McDonald Wing Nursing Home, Maffra 80-89
Laurina Lodge Hostel, Heyfield 60-69
Royal Freemasons, Sale 50-59
Sale Gardens Care Community 90-100
St Elmo’s Nursing Home, Yarram 80-89
Stretton Park Hostel, Maffra 80-89
Wilson Lodge, Sale 80-89
*Confidentiality has been applied
