The Victorian nursing homes with the low Covid-19 vaccination rates

Shocking new data has revealed that less than half of workers at some Victorian facilities have had a Covid-19 jab. Search the list.

A shocking 66 nursing homes across Victoria still had less than half of staff vaccinated against Covid-19 last week.

The figures highlight the desperate need to fast-track shots in arms, or risk Victoria’s most vulnerable being left without staff to care for them.

A Herald Sun analysis also shows homes that had devastating outbreaks last year had moved far more quickly to inoculate staff.

Residential aged-care workers have less than a month until they must have had at least one Covid-19 vaccination to keep their job.

Almost 45 per cent of Victorian nursing homes funded by the Commonwealth have 80-100 per cent of staff with at least one dose. But fewer than half of the workers across 66 homes had been vaccinated as of August 17. Bupa had seven aged- care facilities with vaccination rates below 50 per cent, including Bupa Wodonga, in the 20-29 per cent range, until a vaccination blitz using pop-up clinics sparked a drastic turnaround.

“These on-site clinics began last week, with Pfizer first doses provided to team members at 45 of our 63 homes so far,” Bupa Aged Care managing director Suzanne Dvorak said. “Vaccination teams will visit the remainder of our homes this week.”

Four out of five staff at Bupa Wodonga are now vaccinated.

The consequences can be tragic once Covid-19 enters nursing homes. Picture: Jay Town

Vaccination rates at HammondCare’s Caulfield Village have risen from 10-19 per cent to 31 per cent while The Glens climbed from 20-29 per cent to 48 per cent after onsite vaccination clinics were set up.

HammondCare spokeswoman Angela Raguz said further onsite clinics were planned for next month.

“Logistic and supply challenges have made COVID-19 vaccination extremely difficult for many of our staff,” Ms Raguz said.

The Herald Sun on Monday revealed fewer than a third of staff at Benetas’s The Views at Heidelberg and St Paul’s Terrace in Frankston were reported as having been vaccinated.

Benetas chief Sandra Hills said there had been a significant uptake in the past few days and about 70 per cent of workers at both sites now had one vaccination.

“Benetas is supportive of the mandated vaccine for residential aged-care employees to ensure that those we care for who are most vulnerable to Covid-19 are protected,” she said.

Regional Victoria had the lowest average staff vaccination rates, 50-59 per cent, across the municipalities of Macedon Ranges, Baw Baw, Shepparton and Moira.

Aged-care homes that have previously had mass Covid-19 outbreaks were among those with higher vaccination ­numbers.

At Baptcare Wyndham Lodge Community, which had 301 cases, staff vaccination rates are between 70-79 per cent, while at least 90 per cent were vaccinated at St Basil’s.

Epping Gardens Aged Care, which had 240 cases, also had 70-79 per cent staff vaccination rate. Employees are prioritised for the Pfizer vaccine, no matter their age.

MAP REVEALS AGED CARE VAX DATA

Fewer than 9 per cent of staff tasked with providing care to Victoria’s most vulnerable have had a Covid-19 jab at nursing homes across the state.

Aged care workers are being shamed into action, with a new map revealing an alarming number of nursing homes have low Covid-19 vaccination rates. They have less than a month before at least one shot of a Covid-19 vaccine becomes mandatory for residential aged care workers on September 17.

The man in charge of the vaccine rollout, Lieutenant General John Frewen, says the map will be an effective tool in working with aged care providers to ensure their workers get a jab before the deadline.

“Vaccination of aged care workers is a priority for government,” General Frewen said. “We will continue to pursue opportunities to fast track the vaccination program and enable residential aged care workers to receive a vaccine.”

Some aged care centres have a low vaccination rate among staff.

The worst performing Commonwealth-funded aged-care centres include St Vincent’s Care Services Kew and Honeysuckle Regional Health in Violet Town, according to the map. Both reported 0-9 per cent of staff had at least one dose, My Aged Care Portal data from August 17 shows.

Banawah Nursing Home in northern Victoria was a little higher, reporting a staff vaccination rate of 10-19 per cent. Fewer than a third of staff at Bupa Wodonga, Benetas’ The Views at Heidelberg, and Benetas’ St Paul’s Terrace in Frankston were reported as having been vaccinated.

Low vaccination rates were more common in regional areas than metropolitan.

At least four centres had their data withheld to protect individuals who worked at nursing homes with fewer than five workers.

“The aged care sector has been fully engaged in getting its workforce vaccinated and the task force will continue to work with them to achieve this end,” General Frewen said.

All residential aged care workers are prioritised for the Pfizer vaccine.

Health Minister Martin Foley on Sunday announced aged care workers would be part of a week-long vaccination drive.

“Residential aged care and disability workers will be able to walk up in one of more than 50 vaccination centres that the state runs across Victoria and get vaccinated with the vaccine of their choice, regardless of their age,” Mr Foley said. “We would encourage you … to book through and get priority booking status on the online appointment system.

“Staff can demonstrate their eligibility by showing their residential aged care or disability staff identification card.”

Victoria and NSW are yet to issue the public health orders that mandate the vaccination but are expected to do so in coming weeks.