Helping you to support residents and workers on COVID-19 vaccination
Residential aged care providers have an important role in supporting residents and their families, and their workforce, in accessing credible information on COVID-19 vaccines and the critical role vaccines play in protecting against serious disease and death from COVID-19.
With frequent new COVID-19 vaccine developments, it’s normal for people to have questions or concerns, and possibly feel unsure about getting a vaccine.
To support providers to make accurate, evidence-based information available to residents, family members and workers, the Department of Health’s website is a great resource for you to refer to so that you can help people make informed decisions
COVID-19 vaccines – Is it true?
COVID-19 vaccines - Is it true? Provides clear information addressing common questions and concerns, and separating misinformation from the facts. This resource includes evidence-based responses to a broad range of questions including:
- Is it true? Were COVID-19 vaccines developed too quickly to be safe?
- Is it true? Can COVID-19 vaccines connect me to the internet?
- Is it true? Do COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility?
- Is it true? Can COVID-19 vaccines alter my DNA?
- Is it true? Is the vaccine rollout a cover to collect DNA?
- Is it true? Do I have to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine?
- Is it true? Were COVID-19 vaccines rushed through approvals or given emergency use authorisations in Australia?
Answers to common questions on COVID-19 vaccines is available in 63 languages.
There is also a range of information about COVID-19 vaccines available in English and translated in 63 languages, providing clear information which can be a useful guide in discussing COVID-19 vaccine with workers, residents and family members.
Guide for resident and family discussion
Another important resource available to providers is the COVID-19 vaccination – Shared decision making guide for frail older people, including those in residential aged care facilities. This guide provides a useful resource to use in supportive discussions with residents and family members on deciding about COVID-19 vaccination, and addresses common questions that older Australians may have about COVID-19 vaccination.
Misinformation and truths about COVID-19
Another excellent resource is the Department of Home Affair’s website which features Misinformation and truths about Coronavirus (COVID-19) providing the facts to common misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccination.
A fact sheet is also available on misinformation and the facts on COVID-19.
The SBS Coronavirus Portal is another good resource which includes the latest Australian and international news, information and updates about COVID-19 in 60 languages.
OPAN Video Series on COVID-19
To further support residents and family members, the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) website features a series of 11 videos with Dr Norman Swan. The videos are in response to questions from OPAN’s COVID-19 survey and questions from OPAN’s COVID-19 Vaccine webinar series.
To keep up to date on COVID-19 vaccination visit www.health.gov.au