General News
19 July, 2024
RNH lifts aged care vax rates
Rural Northwest Health has further moved to reassure the community following Department of Health and Aged Care statistics which showed low vaccination rates among residents at its Yarriambiack Lodge Nursing Home and Hostel.
According to the Department’s report, published on June 21 and based on Australian Immunisation Register data at June 12, the percentages of residents vaccinated over the previous 12 months at the Nursing Home and Hostel were 40-50 per cent and 30-40 per cent respectively.
This put those facilities 24th and 26th among a list of similar aged care facilities across the region.
The RNH home and hostel in Hopetoun both recorded figures of more than 80 per cent.
A spokesperson last week said Yarriambiack residents had since received their vaccines, with more than 90 per cent of those eligible having now received their winter dose.
RNH this week said a government rule change had impacted on figures.
“At the time of collation, Department of Health rules stated that residents who had contracted Covid were ineligible to receive their next vaccination until six months post-infection,” RNH said in a statement.
“This rule was changed in February, meaning that should a resident have contracted Covid on March 1 they would have been eligible to receive their next dose as soon as they were clinically stable and within the dosage timeline.”
“Of the residents who have not yet received their booster, winter, 5th or 6th dose of the Covid vaccine, Rural Northwest Health will be scheduling the individuals to receive it every six months, or as according to the Department of Health guidelines.”
RNH CEO Jenni Masters said she was disappointed at the figures published by the Department of Health and Aged Care.
“It’s disappointing that the figures published neither reflected the rule changes or our current vaccination figures,” Ms Masters said.
“Our dedicated teams work tirelessly and collaboratively with the Department of Health, our GPs, and the local Primary Health Network to both ensure and maintain the health of our residents including making sure that the residents’ vaccinations are up to date where the resident is both eligible, medically fit, and consents.”