The government is now operating in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions, pending the outcome of the 2025 federal election.

Poor COVID-19 vaccination rates in aged care

On this page:

The autumn and winter months typically bring an increase in respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, which can have severe consequences for older people. 

The Chief Clinical Advisor of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission remains concerned about persistently low COVID-19 vaccination rates across many residential aged care homes.

Key Messages

  • Aged care providers are obligated to do more to maintain adequate COVID-19 vaccination rates among the older people in their care.
  • Age continues to be the biggest risk factor for severe health outcomes from COVID-19. Protection from COVID-19 vaccinations wanes over time, that’s why it’s important to keep up to date with vaccinations throughout the year. 
  • Supporting older people to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccination can reduce deaths and severe illness from COVID-19 infection.
  • Providers should refer to the updated ATAGI COVID-19 statement noting that older people do not have to wait 6 months since their last COVID-19 infection to have a COVID-19 vaccination. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations can be safely administered at the same time.
  • The Commission urges providers to plan well ahead and to obtain consent and arrange access to both COVID-19 vaccinations and annual influenza vaccinations, now, ahead of the winter peak in respiratory viral illnesses. 
  • COVID-19 vaccinations for residents over 75 years should be administered every 6 months. An ideal time for these 6 monthly clinics is ahead of winter and ahead of the festive season – times when we see a rise in COVID-19 cases. It’s crucial to start planning for winter clinics now.
  • It can take time to obtain informed consent from residents (or their authorised representatives) to enable COVID-19 booster vaccinations to be given. Informed consent is required for each vaccination, but it doesn’t have to be in writing. Verbal consent is OK if it is recorded in the resident’s clinical record by the vaccination provider.

COVID-19 is still out there

COVID-19 is active across Australia and still poses a significant risk of death and serious illness to aged care residents. 

Although the risk of dying from COVID-19 is now much lower than at the start of the pandemic in 2020, the number of COVID-19 related deaths of people living in aged care settings remains unacceptably high. 

Concerningly, the latest data from the Department of Health and Aged Care shows only just over 40 percent of people aged 75 years and older living in residential aged care homes have received a COVID-19 vaccination in the last 6 months. 

This rate compares poorly to the much higher vaccination rates of around 75 percent that are achieved with the annual Influenza vaccination drive. 

The major improvement in COVID-19 survival rates today has been achieved through several measures, including: 

  • Previously high vaccination rates among older adults
  • Early access to antiviral medication
  • Better infection prevention and control procedures in aged care.

The Australian Government provides funding for general practitioners (GPs), pharmacists and primary care providers to administer free COVID-19 and National Immunisation Program vaccines in aged care homes. All aged care homes must organise a vaccination clinic. You should be contacting your local Primary Health Network (PHN) for help in arranging a GP, pharmacist or primary care provider to vaccinate your residents. In addition, you can also consider using the Vaccine Administration Partners Program, which can assist with COVID-19 vaccinations where primary care providers are unavailable.

ATAGI recommends that all adults 75 years and older receive a COVID-19 vaccination every 6 months. ATAGI also recommends that all adults aged 65 to 74 years receive a COVID-19 vaccination every 12 months. However, if severely immunocompromised, adults aged 65 to 74 years are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination every 6 months.

Providers can find information about consent in The Australian Immunisation Handbook and searching for ‘preparing for vaccination’.

Dr. Mandy Callary, Chief Clinical Advisor, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

Further information

Was this page useful?
Share this page
 

Acknowledgement of Country

In the spirit of reconciliation, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, water and community. We pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.