New data reveals aged care Covid-19 booster coverage, landmark reforms become law

Almost two out of five aged-care homes in Queensland are behind the national average for Covid-19 fourth dose coverage, new data has revealed,with the federal Aged Care Minister pointing to outbreaks impeding the vaccine rollout.

Almost two out of five aged-care homes in Queensland are behind the national average for Covid-19 fourth dose coverage, new data has revealed,with the federal Aged Care Minister pointing to outbreaks impeding the vaccine rollout.

Aged-care facilities, from this week, have been made to publicly publish vaccine rates in a bid to increase take-up of the Covid-19 jab. The data shows residents in almost 40 per cent of Queensland aged-care facilities with more than 20 residents had Covid-19 fourth dose coverage, below the national average of 79 per cent.

There were 16 homes, including two that have large active outbreaks, where less than 10 per cent of residents had a fourth dose.

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells said the low booster coverage in certain facilities was partly due to rolling Covid-19 outbreaks that had prevented vaccination teams from going in. She said the government had asked providers what issues they were facing, and how authorities could assist.

It comes as landmark reforms born of the aged-care royal commission became the first piece of law passed under the new Albanese government, paving the way for changes in the way the government funds the sector.

A new star system rating of aged-care facilities will also be brought in by the end of the year. A second tranche of aged-care reforms, including laws requiring a nurse be available in aged-care homes 24/7, will take slightly longer, with the Coalition indicating it wanted to see the Bill undergo scrutiny through the committee process.

Ms Wells confirmed the government was “pulling every lever” in order to get the 869 additional nurses that health department modelling said was needed to ensure there was one available in every facility at all times by July 1 next year.

Ms Wells said the government was doing “its best” to give
aged-care workers a pay rise.

Originally published as New data reveals aged care Covid-19 booster coverage, landmark reforms become law