Government to publish individual aged care homes' vaccine rates
As the latest COVID-19 wave continues, the Federal Department of Health and Aged Care will begin publishing vaccination rates for individual residential aged care homes.
Beginning 1 August, the plan aims to drive up aged care vaccination rates to reduce the instance of severe illness and death among residents.
According to Aged Care Minister Anika Wells, it is part of the Government’s Winter Plan to help fight COVID in aged care.
“Since Minister Butler and I wrote to aged care providers in our first week in office, we have seen a swift uptick in the fourth dose vaccination rates for residents – more than 15 per cent.
“I am extremely grateful to providers for heeding this call. But we can do more,” she said.
Subsidised antiviral medication is also available to Australians aged 70 years and over who test positive to COVID, with or without symptoms, through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
