WA and TAS webinars for in-home and community aged care workers
To support in-home and community aged care workers in Western Australia and Tasmania, two special live webinars are scheduled for next week on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination.
The webinars will support Western Australian and Tasmanian in-home and community aged care workers, including students on placement, volunteers and subcontractors, to:
- find out more about their state public health direction on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for in-home and community aged care workers and how it applies to them
- get information about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine safety
- find out how to access a priority COVID-19 vaccination.
The free webinars will have a live Q&A discussion to answer questions workers might have on COVID-19 vaccination and on public health directions for mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for in-home and community aged care workers.
Western Australia
Tuesday, 30 November 2021 from 1:00pm – 2:00pm AWST (WA time)
Chaired by Frances Rice, Senior Nursing and Midwifery Advisor, Department of Health
Panellists include:
- Dr Clare Huppatz, Deputy Chief Health Officer, Public and Aboriginal Health Division, WA Department of Health
- Cathy Haffner, Director, Aged Care COVID-19 Vaccine, Department of Health
- Russell Herald, Assistant Secretary, Home Support Operations, Department of Health
- Rebecca Richardson, Assistant Secretary, Home Care and Assessments Branch, Department of Health.
- Union Representative.
Join by personal device or computer:
https://health-au.webex.com/health-au/j.php?MTID=m286692fde117ccb3a42342a51bfe6f82
Event number: 2650 113 5555
Event password: 9876 (9876 from phones)
Join by phone
+61-2-9338-2221 Australia Toll
Access code: 265 011 35555
Tasmania
Wednesday 1 December 2021 from 10:00am – 11:00am AEDT (TAS time)
Chaired by Frances Rice, Senior Nursing and Midwifery Advisor, Department of Health
Panellists include:
- Dr Katarzyna Clarke, Public Health Medical Officer, Tasmanian Vaccination Emergency Operations Centre (TVEOC), Tasmanian Department of Health
- Graeme Lodge, Communications Manager, Aged Care Emergency Operations Centre (ACEOC), Tasmanian Department of Health
- Vivek Foot, Aged Care Coordinator, Health and Community Services Union
- Cathy Haffner, Director, Aged Care COVID-19 Vaccine, Department of Health
- Russell Herald, Assistant Secretary, Home Support Operations, Department of Health
- Rebecca Richardson, Assistant Secretary, Home Care and Assessments Branch, Department of Health
Join by personal device or computer:
https://health-au.webex.com/health-au/j.php?MTID=m66a8bc34db79124c3887c6f708a42011
Event number: 2654 423 5372
Event password: 9876 (9876 from phones)
Join by phone
+61-2-9338-2221 Australia Toll
Access code: 265 442 35372
Online NOW: QLD and SA webinars on mandatory vaccination for in-home and community aged care workers
The webinars held last week on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for in-home and community aged care workers in South Australia and Queensland are now available online:
- Webinar for in-home and community aged care workers in South Australia
- Webinar for in-home and community aged care workers in Queensland
Panellists from the Commonwealth and respective State Government Health Departments, together with Union representatives, discussed the states’ public health directions on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for in-home and community aged care workers and how it applies to them.
Panellists also discussed COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy, how aged care workers can access a priority COVID-19 vaccination, and the Home Care Package and Commonwealth Home Support Programme grants opportunities to assist providers to support their workers to get vaccinated.
Each recording lasts about 1 hour and includes approximately 30 minutes of Q&A on a range of issues relating to the scope of the public health order and workforce vaccination.
Webinars have also taken place in the ACT, NSW, NT and VIC and can be viewed on the department's website.
How workers can get vaccinated
Workers who are not yet vaccinated can find their closest vaccination clinic using the COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder for a priority appointment.
Staff do not require a Medicare card to be vaccinated and all COVID-19 vaccinations are free.
Workers can also call the Helpline on 1800 020 080 (select option 4). The dedicated COVID-19 Vaccine Helpline can answer any questions about vaccination and assist with how to book a vaccination appointment.
A letter template which provides proof of employment as evidence of priority eligibility for vaccination is available on the Department of Health website. It is for all aged care workers – including subcontractors, volunteers and students on placement.
Booster vaccinations
The expert Australian Immunisation Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recommended COVID-19 booster vaccinations for all people aged 18 and over that received their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine six or more months ago.
As in-home and community workers and care recipients could access a vaccination from 22 March this year, some will now be eligible for the booster. When eligible, people can get a booster dose at:
- a participating GP or pharmacy – you can find a local clinic via the Vaccine Clinic Finder on health.gov.au or call the Helpline on 1800 020 080 (select option 4)
- a State Government COVID-19 vaccination clinic, or
- Commonwealth vaccination clinic.