A South Burnett aged care home has shared surplus COVID-19 vaccine doses with Kingaroy frontline workers

A Kingaroy aged care home has shared its vaccine stock with frontline workers after completing its first round of immunisations and having leftover doses.

A South Burnett aged care home has generously opened its vaccine supply to local frontline workers.

After recently completing their first round of COVID-19 vaccinations, Lutheran Services’ Orana Aged Care shared surplus vaccines with frontline workers in Kingaroy.

Once all eligible residents and frontline staff at the facility had received their jab, a number of doses remained.

Not wanting to see much-needed vaccines go to waste, Orana Service Manager Kym Zischke reached out to other frontline workers in Kingaroy.

After many phone calls and much doorknocking, frontline staff from local medical practices, pharmacies and police fronted up to Orana to receive their first jab.

In total, eight frontline works were able to receive a first round dose of the vaccine.

Manager Kym Zischke said being able to share the vaccine was a fantastic demonstration of the vibrant and tight-knit community of Kingaroy.

“The frontline workers in our community were appreciative that we contacted them with the remaining doses,” Ms Zischke said.

“Some had already had the vaccine, but for those that hadn’t they were grateful to be able to drop in and be able to receive it.”

Orana Aged Care houses 94 people and has a retirement village of about 30 people.

Kingaroy's Orana Aged Care residents Beverly, Kathleen, Val and Lurline waiting to receive their vaccines.

Ms Zischke said it was a relief to have the residents and staff vaccinated.

“It is comforting to know that our residents have had access to the COVID-19 vaccine and we are looking forward to the ongoing rollout of the vaccination for the remainder of our staff and community,” she said.

“The care and professionalism of the clinical team that came to Orana were amazing. They communicated and dealt with our residents beautifully.

“Everyone was closely monitored. It was a very thorough and well-supported operation. Everything went like clockwork. It’s great to have completed our first round.”