AGED care facilities across the Swan Hill region are scrambling to vaccinate residents and staff in a desperate attempt to protect our most vulnerable from COVID-19, and help prevent another nursing home outbreak.
Almost all residents across aged care homes in Swan Hill, Robinvale, Balranald, Nyah and Moulamein are vaccinated – but the same can’t be said for staff.
A survey by The Guardian revealed seven out of nine homes in the region had achieved more than 80 per cent vaccination of residents, but only one had achieved over 80 per cent for staff.
Data was provided by aged care directors by the deadline of 3pm on Wednesday.
For simplicity of reading, the Pfizer vaccine or one or two doses of AstraZeneca are counted as a vaccination.
Four facilities declined to provide data on staff vaccination: Jacaranda Village and Logan Lodge (both run by Swan Hill District Health), Balranald Hospital (NSW Health), and Robinvale District Health.
Leading in staff vaccinations was Balranald Shire Council’s Bidgee Haven Retirement Hostel, with 82 per cent of staff vaccinated and 72 per cent of residents.
Respect Aged Care Cohuna Village had 37 per cent of staff vaccinated and 83 per cent of residents.
Hope Aged Care had 23 per cent of staff vaccinated and 100 per cent of residents.
“All of my staff at Swan Hill have either been jabbed or have an appointment to be jabbed,” owner-director Afif Hadj said.
“The problem is most of them have to get the Pfizer not the AstraZeneca – so they’ve had to travel to Bendigo.”
Moulamein’s Edward River Gardens had achieved 18 per cent staff vaccination, and 87 per cent vaccinations of residents.
While 89 per cent of residents at Respect Aged Care Alcheringa, had been vaccinated, staff vaccines were very low.
“Less than 10 per cent of staff have received the vaccine,” CEO Brett Menzies said. “However, access has been an issue in Swan Hill.”
NSW Health did not respond with vaccination figures for Balranald Hospital.
Swan Hill District Health and Robinvale District Health declined to provide any numbers, but provided statements.
“As per state directions, all consenting public sector residential aged care residents at SHDH-run facilities have received their first vaccine doses with second doses scheduled to be provided in the coming weeks,” a SHDH spokesperson said.
RDHS CEO Mara Richards said: “RDHS is actively encouraging all staff to get vaccinated as soon as possible and in particular those providing direct care.
“As per Victoria’s current directions, all of our public sector residential aged care residents residing at RDHS and to whom, have consented, have received their first vaccine doses and will be receiving dose two in the coming weeks.”
Residents in aged care are entitled to refuse the vaccination, as seven did at Cohuna Village and two at Alcheringa.
