Tabeel Aged Care centre helps vaccinate small town frontline workers in Laidley after oversupply of jabs

After an aged care facility received a surplus amount of COVID-19 vaccines, it helped distribute them to the frontline workers in its small town.

Laidley general practitioner Dr Phillip Burrell with Tabeel Aged Care residents (from left) Barbara and Val, who both received the COVID-19 vaccine.

An aged care facility in a small town east of Toowoomba has helped vaccinate dozens of frontline workers for COVID-19 across the community after distributing its surplus units to police, pharmacists and paramedics.

Tabeel Aged Care in Laidley was left with 70 extra doses of the vaccine after completing its first round of vaccinations, with the health department providing more than enough to ensure everyone was covered.

Realising there was an opportunity to help the Laidley community, Tabeel service manager Melanie Wagner got on the phone and contacted frontline workers who were interested in getting the jab.

Staff from the local hospital, medical practices, pharmacies, ambulance and police fronted up to Tabeel to receive their first jab.

All but three were used up by the initiative. Ms Wagner said she was thrilled to see more of the town vaccinated against COVID-19.

“We had a team of about 12 people at Tabeel for the day — it was very professional and well organised,” she said.

“About 70 residents and 40 staff were vaccinated.

“We put on extra staff to support our residents throughout the day.”

The Department of Health allocates vaccines based on occupancy numbers.

Some aged care residents may decline, change their mind on the day or not be feeling up to it.

The second round of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is expected to be carried out in Laidley on Monday.

Aged and disability care residents, frontline health care workers and other priority workers are all part of Stage 1A of the rollout.

For more information about the vaccine rollout or COVID-19, head to www.qld.gov.au/health.