Supported by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), vaccination teams from in-reach Commonwealth Government vaccination workforce Healthcare Australia (HCA) visited residential aged care facilities across North Queensland to provide staff with their COVID-19 vaccines.
The Australian Government has mandated that from today (17 September 2021) residential aged care workers must be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of their employment.
This week, 13 HCA teams consisting of 39 HCA staff and nurses visited aged care facilities in Cairns, Townsville, Ingham, Bowen, the Tablelands, Hopevale, and in the Torres Strait.
NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte said the vaccination blitz for aged care workers in North Queensland was another important step in protecting older Australians.
“Aged care residents are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19, and we need to protect them to the best of our ability throughout this pandemic,” Ms Whyte said.
“The vaccination blitz was a significant logistical exercise, and I would like to say a huge thank you to our aged care workers, who are now able to protect our most vulnerable, and their families and friends.
“I’d also like to praise everyone involved in the success of the rollout, including the vaccine providers and primary care vaccinators who helped contribute to this fantastic achievement.”
NQPHN staff also worked closely with the Department of Health, and local Hospital and Health Services to ensure the rollout’s success.
“Our HCA teams were welcomed into this wonderful region, and were supported by the proactive, helpful work of NQPHN to successfully reach aged care workers,” said a HCA spokesperson.
Ms Whyte said all people aged 12 and above are now able to get a COVID-19 vaccine at general practices, pharmacies, GP-led respiratory clinics, and Queensland Health vaccination hubs.
To check how to book your COVID-19 vaccine, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker: (covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility) or if you prefer not to use the online option, you can call the National Coronavirus and COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline on 1800 020 080.