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COVID-19 Support COVIDsupport@bsphn.org.au

COVID-19 Vaccines for RACFs

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Brisbane South PHN > Support > Coronavirus (COVID-19) > Residential Aged Care Facilities and COVID-19 > COVID-19 Vaccines for RACFs

COVID-19 Vaccines for RACFs


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This section provides information about the vaccine rollout in residential disability and aged care. It is intended for disability and aged care services, visiting GPs and other service providers. 

Brisbane South PHN is supporting residential disability and aged care facility providers in coordinating access to COVID-19 vaccinations for their residents and workers, including linking facilities with Commonwealth, state and primary care COVID-19 immunisers, and working to overcome barriers to access for these very high priority groups.  

See also our page on COVID-19 Outbreaks, Testing and Management for residential disability and aged care facility providers here.

COVID-19 vaccination in-reach/outreach 

Eligible people in a residential facility continue to need to be prioritised for vaccination. As such, GPs may be requested to provide an in-reach vaccination in a Residential Aged Care Facility, residential disability facility or at a patient’s place of residence if required. 

In-reach is possible 

GPs are able to do in-reach clinics and home visits, provided the storage and handling of the vaccine is considered. For more information see the Department of Health website here. 

Flag-fall available  

GPs are able to claim a call out or “flag-fall” fee to conduct a COVID-19 vaccine suitability assessment service in a Residential Aged Care Facility, residential disability facility setting or at a patient’s place of residence. Further information can be found on the MBS Online website. 

Can you help? 

In some instances where a resident’s GP is not participating in the Covid-19 vaccination rollout, it can be challenging for residential settings to identify GPs who are willing to visit a facility to administer the vaccine. Brisbane South PHN are seeking expressions of interest from GPs who are willing to provide in-reach vaccinations to residential facilities. If you are willing and able to provide in-reach support to vaccinate residents, please email covidsupport@bsphn.org.au.  

Vaccination information for providers supporting people with disability 

Brisbane South PHN has been in contact with a number of providers of residential facilities with two or more people to discuss assistance requirements in facilitating access to a COVID-19 vaccination. If you are a provider that would like support or advice in facilitating access to a COVID-19 vaccine for your participants, please contact us at covidsupport@bsphn.org.au.  

See also the latest advice from NDIS regarding COVID-19 Vaccine rollout for workers and NDIS participants. 

Resources 

COVID-19 vaccination – Easy Read resources 

A series of fact sheets about COVID-19 vaccines in Easy Read format 

For people with disability 

Information and resources for people with disability, including resources translated into AUSLAN 

NDIS COVID-19 information for people with a disability 

Information about coronavirus and the ways NDIS are working with providers to make sure they understand what they need to do to make sure participants get the support they need during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Supports and Contacts 

Vaccination for Aged Care Residents 

Key Contact for RACF COVID Vaccinations 

Brisbane South PHN is your primary contact point for the COVID-19 vaccination program. This includes questions about accessing the vaccine for both residents and staff.  

The Brisbane South PHN team can be reached on 1300 467 265 or at agedcare@bsphn.org.au. 

Aged Care Resident Vaccination 

Phase 1a of the vaccination roll-out is coming to an end in the Brisbane South PHN region. The Department of Health contracted vaccine providers will not be holding any further vaccine clinics for aged care residents. For residents that require vaccination, the guidance from the Department of Health is to contact their General Practitioner (GP) to access the AstraZeneca vaccination through the Phase 1b rollout. 

GPs are now able to claim a call out or “flag-fall” fee to conduct a COVID-19 vaccine suitability assessment service in a residential aged care facility (RACF). Further information can be found on the MBS Online website or alternatively, view the factsheet here. 

If you are having difficulties finding a GP to vaccinate new residents, Brisbane South PHN can support you to locate general practices in your area that are participating in the Phase 1b roll-out. 

Residential Aged Care Worker Vaccination 

Vaccination for residential aged care workers 

From 17 September 2021, COVID-19 vaccination will be mandatory for all residential aged care workers. This mandate includes volunteers and non-clinical staff. More information can be found on the Department of Health vaccine Information for RACF website. 

As of 7 July 2021, all students attending Queensland residential aged care facilities as part of clinical placements must be fully vaccinated (2 doses complete) prior to commencing. For more information, visit the Queensland Health website.

Workers access to the Pfizer vaccine in Queensland 

All RACF workers are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine regardless of age.  

RACF workers can access the Pfizer vaccine through:  

  • Queensland Health vaccinations clinics 
  • General Practice, where available  
  • Commonwealth vaccine clinics 

Workers should use the COVID Eligibility Checker to find locations. Appointments are strongly recommended to avoid delays.  

Workers access to the AstraZeneca vaccine in Queensland 

All aged care workers have access to AstraZeneca if they wish.  

  • Workers over the age of 60 can access the AstraZeneca vaccine at participating GP clinics, GP respiratory clinic or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service. 
  • Workers under 60 can make an informed decision to consent to receiving AstraZeneca following the appropriate risk/benefit assessment and individual suitability assessment with their GP at participating GP clinics. 

Workers should use the COVID Eligibility Checker to find locations. Appointments are strongly recommended to avoid delays.  

Mandatory reporting of vaccination status

From 15 June 2021, weekly reporting of aged care worker COVID-19 vaccination status is mandatory.

Reporting is via the My Aged Care portal for approved providers. Guidance and further information is available here. 

Request for tender for residential aged care services to administer COVID-19 vaccines 

The Request for tender (RFT) Health/20-21/RFT 19454 invites approved providers of residential aged care services to deliver the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to residential aged care workers. The RFT has been extended until 30 July 2021. 

Based on feedback, the Department has simplified the tender process for providers, including removing the requirement for a provider to have five sites. There is now no minimum site number requirement, the provider only has to be able to administer 100 doses. Aged care providers can either use their own qualified staff to provide vaccinations, or sub-contract to a vaccination provider. 

Current restrictions 

Visit the Queensland Government website to see the current Aged Care Direction as well as updates and information. 

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