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Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) is supporting the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout working alongside Residential Aged Care Homes (RACHs) to manage and reduce infection rates in facilities, especially ahead of the upcoming festive season.
As a result, NQPHN has initiated the 2024 Pharmacy RACH Vaccination Program to facilitate an in-reach service for pharmacies to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to vulnerable persons in RACHs.
This program provides timely protection for RACH residents, helping to safeguard their health during a period of increased social interaction.
The 2024 Pharmacy RACH Vaccination Program will finish on 15 December 2024. The last day NQPHN will consider applications for RACH visits under this program is Monday 9 December 2024.
What to do next
Are you a RACH looking to vaccinate your residents?
It is important RACHs know when their residents’ COVID-19 vaccines are due and how to organise vaccinations. If your residents’ regular COVID-19 vaccinator is unavailable, consider contacting pharmacies in your area to enquire about vaccination options for your residents under NQPHN’s 2024 Pharmacy RACH Vaccination Program.
Please also remind any of your pharmacy vaccinators they may be eligible for support under the 2024 Pharmacy RACH Vaccination Program.
Are you a pharmacy providing COVID-19 vaccination in-reach services to RACH residents?
If so, please consider applying for support under NQPHN’s 2024 Pharmacy RACH Vaccination Program using the below steps:
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Complete an RACH COVID-19 In-Reach request form prior to the vaccination service occurring, and receive NQPHN approval.
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Within five days of completing the in-reach service, submit a report (link to be provided by NQPHN) with details of the services provided and a compliant Tax Invoice.
Northern Queensland PHN is working alongside residential aged care homes to manage and reduce infection rates in facilities.
All RACHs in the Northern Queensland PHN region were supported by the PHN to provide vaccinations for all residents and staff.
The PHN continues to actively support all RACHs in the region to ensure vaccinations are available.
Please contact us at preparednessandresponse@nqphn.com.au if we can be of assistance.
Subscribe to receive NQPHN COVID-19 updates for Residential Aged Care Homes.
The Australian Government has provided the following advice for the residential aged care sector regarding COVID-19 vaccines (click on each header to access):
Residents in residential aged care
- Why residents should get vaccinated
- How can I get my recommended COVID-19 vaccinations?
- Which vaccine can I get?
- Providing consent
- Consent by a guardian or substitute decision-maker
- Getting vaccinated before entering an aged care home
- Is evidence of COVID-19 vaccination required?
- Why does my aged care home need to know if I am vaccinated?
- Resources for residents
- Factsheet – Vaccine info for residents in Aged Care homes
- Factsheet – Vaccine booster advice for people with a disability
- Easy read – Vaccine booster advice for people with a disability
Residential aged care service providers
- Vaccination
- Engage with your Primary Health Network
- How to support resident and worker vaccination
- Preparing for COVID-19 vaccination
- How to obtain and record resident consent
- How do I monitor and report adverse events?
Residential aged care workers
- Why you should be vaccinated against COVID-19
- Why your employer may need to know your vaccination status
- How to prove your vaccination status
- Resources for workers
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
PPE for coronavirus (COVID-19) includes surgical masks, particulate filter respirators (such as P2 or N95), gloves, goggles, glasses, face shields, gowns and aprons. Guidelines on the use of PPE when caring for patients in the non-inpatient settings are available on the Department's website. If you have any questions about the use of PPE or if you require PPE, email agedcarecovidppe@health.gov.au.
Support lines
- A COVID-19 support line has been set up to provide information and support for older Australians, their families and carers. Freecall: 1800 171 866.
- The FriendLine is for anyone who needs to reconnect or just wants a chat. All conversations with FriendLine are casual and anonymous and friendly volunteers are ready to talk about anything and everything. Call: 1800 424 287.
Public health guidelines
The Communicable Diseases Network Australia has developed these comprehensive national guidelines for the prevention, control and public health management of COVID-19 outbreaks in residential care facilities in Australia that cover:
- preparedness and prevention
- a flowchart for COVID-19 management
- swab collection procedure, and more.
COVID-19 Vaccination and Antiviral Treatments factsheet
The Department of Health and Aged Care has developed a new resource, the COVID-19 Vaccination and Antiviral Treatments fact sheet, with information and answers to frequently asked questions for residents living in aged care homes and their families.
Useful websites
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