Updated 25 February
The roll-out of COVID-19 vaccination to Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) began on Monday February 22 2021, with the first residents in RACFs in the Eastern Melbourne PHN (EMPHN) region receiving vaccines.
The Department of Health has asked the Primary Health Networks (PHN) to support the COVID-19 vaccination program into RACFs. RACF residents and staff are a priority for vaccination in the Department of Health COVID-19 vaccination strategy.
PHNs will support the coordination of the vaccine roll-out, working in partnership with the Department of Health and its contracted workforce provider to develop implementation plans for the vaccine roll-out within their respective regions. PHNs will also act as a key communication and liaison point for RACFs in the vaccination program.
The PHN will update our main website and disseminate information as it emerges from the Department of Health. Following discussions with RACFs preparing for vaccination day and with the contracted vaccine workforce provider, Aspen Medical, the PHN has collated FAQs for the COVID-19 vaccination program. These will also soon be released on the EMPHN website and regularly updated.
The Department of Health released important guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccination and this site continues to be updated, including advice around gaining consent and a toolkit to help RACFs prepare for vaccination day. Resources include:
- Full suite of guidance
- RACF preparedness toolkit
- Consent guidance:
- New documents
- The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) recently produced a webinar to help older people decide if the COVID-19 vaccination is right for them.
- Consent Flowchart
- The Department of Health has published a decision guide to help people who are frail or very old, including those living in residential aged care facilities and their representatives, to make an informed decision about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Please share this information with staff, families, carers and substitute decision-makers.
Vaccination Scheduling
We are aware that there have been some scheduling changes during week one of the roll-out. We have notified RACFs of any schedule changes announced by Aspen or the Department of Health.