Barwon Health says most staff vaccinated amid mandate

Barwon Health has revealed how many of its staff have been vaccinated against Covid-19 amid the state’s health department issuing a mandatory vaccination directive.

Barwon Health says the vast majority of its staff have been vaccinated against Covid-19 amid the state’s Health Department issuing a mandatory vaccination directive.

The department issued a directive, signed by the acting chief health officer and dated Wednesday, that healthcare workers must receive their first dose by October 29 and their second dose by December 15.

Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said the organisation fully supported the directive.

Ms Bibby said all staff in Barwon Health aged-care facilities were fully vaccinated, protecting their most vulnerable patients and residents.

Ms Bibby said Barwon Health records indicated that nearly 90 per cent of staff had been vaccinated in either the state vaccination centres or at its staff care clinic.

“We know more staff have been vaccinated by their own GP or at a pharmacy and we are currently collating that information,” she said.

“We are confident Barwon Health will be able to comply with the direction with minimal impacts on our services.”

Ms Bibby said the number of staff vaccinations was increasing daily.

Meanwhile, Aveo Group said it had become the first retirement living provider in Australia to formally request employees be vaccinated against Covid-19 to help protect residents, who are among the most vulnerable in the community, and employees.

It has a site in Grovedale.

All current employees are expected to have received their first vaccination by November 1 and their follow up vaccination by no later than December 15.

All new starters joining the business going forward will need to be fully vaccinated before commencing work.

As a next step, Aveo intends to formalise a policy requiring all employees, contractors and service providers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have a valid medical exemption.

Aveo CEO, Tony Randello, said more needs to be done in the retirement living industry to protect residents and workers from COVID-19.

Mr Randello said: “The average age of residents in our communities is around 82 years and many of them are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19.

“It is our duty as a leading retirement living provider to listen to our employees and residents and protect our communities,” he said.

“The government has mandated vaccinations for aged care workers but has yet to apply this to the retirement living sector.”

Aveo will consult with employees from now until December 15 to work through any concerns.

Originally published as Barwon Health says most staff vaccinated amid mandate