COVID-19 urgent update – aged care – vaccination rates increasing in lead up to 17 September deadline

ANMF welcomes increasing aged care vaccination rates

At least 82 per cent of Victorian private residential aged care staff have had their first COVID-19 vaccination and 41 per cent are fully vaccinated.

The latest Commonwealth Department of Health data shows aged care vaccination rates are significantly increasing in the lead up to the required first vaccination 17 September deadline.

The data also shows at least 89 per cent of Victoria’s public residential aged care staff have had their first vaccination and 70 per cent have had both.

Resident vaccination rates are also increasing with 91 per cent having their first dose and 85 per cent receiving two.

ANMF strongly supports vaccination which is effective and reduces hospitalisation, severe illness and death. We encourage members to book their vaccination or participate in the mobile vaccination clinics visiting their facilities.

Last year’s COVID-19 outbreak saw 1988 private aged care residents contract COVID-19 and 655 resident deaths. More than 1600 aged care staff also contracted COVID-19.

Despite Victoria’s increasing COVID-19 cases, aged care outbreaks have been quickly contained as a result of those healthcare workers already being fully vaccinated. This reflects both the lessons learned from the outbreak in 2020 and the increasing high vaccination rates amongst these nurses and carers.

ANMF continues to advocate that visitors also need to be vaccinated, to protect residents and staff

Book your COVID-19 vaccine

Make an online booking via the Victorian Government’s website or

Call the Victorian Government Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398. Tell the hotline operator you are an aged care worker.

Victorian aged care nurses and personal care workers have priority access to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Public sector aged care nurses have access to half a day’s paid leave to have your vaccination and up to four days special leave if you have symptoms after receiving your vaccine that prevent you from attending work. The public sector enterprise agreement personal leave evidence requirements apply.

Casual private aged care nurses and personal care workers can access, through your employer, an $80 payment per vaccination dose. Casual staff who become unwell after vaccination and do not have other leave entitlements can access one day’s paid leave (at a rate of $185).

First vaccination required by 17 September or first booking before 1 October

A reminder to members that the full details of the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s required vaccination directive is available in ANMF’s 8 September aged care newsflash.

The CHO directive key dates are:

Between now and 17 September 2021 you must either:

1. provide your employer with evidence of a valid medical exemption; or
2. have received at least your first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, or:
3. provide evidence that you have an appointment to be vaccinated before 1 October 2021 and provide evidence that you have a booking before 15 November 2021 for your second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

From 17 September 2021 through to 30 September 2021, a worker who has not provided the evidence above may continue working but must:

1. wear PPE of at least a surgical mask and face shield, and
2. continue to be restricted to working at a single facility.

From 1 October 2021, your employer cannot allow you entry to the facility unless you have provided evidence of:

1. a full COVID-19 vaccination of two doses, or
2. one COVID-19 vaccination dose and a booking that will take place no later than 15 November, for a second dose; or
3. a valid medical exemption.

Be informed – required vaccination webinar recording now available

ANMF (Vic Branch) Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick has participated in a required vaccination information webinar for Victorian residential aged care workers. The webinar, hosted by the Federal Department of Health, was held on Friday 10 September 2021, and explains the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s required vaccination directive.

Topics included:

• why it is so important to get vaccinated against COVID-19
• how workers can access priority Pfizer vaccinations ahead of the 17 September deadline
• how workers will be supported to be vaccinated by their workplace and government
• some of reasons workers might feel hesitant about getting vaccinated and how they can feel more assured
• how required COVID-19 vaccination will apply in Victoria.

Watch the webinar recording.

Keep informed about the vaccines

Be informed about the latest accurate COVID-19 vaccine information from trusted sources as well as the latest on the roll out with these links:

1. COVID-19 vaccines – your questions answered – healthcare workers: part 1 (10 June) and part 2 (17 August)
2. Federal Government information about the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
3. Federal Government information about the Pfizer vaccine
4. What happens after I am vaccinated?
5. Australian Academy of Science – COVID-19 facts hub
6. Therapeutic Goods Administration
7. World Health Organisation – vaccines explained
8. National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
9. Federal Government translated information about COVID-19 vaccines
10. On the Record – COVID-19 vaccination FAQs answered

What if I need further advice or support from ANMF (Vic Branch)?

Contact Member Assistance via our online form.

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