Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 Update 2 March 2021

What’s new: Guidance on COVID-19 vaccine consent, COVID-19 vaccine scenario mapping and triage process, Aged care staff eligibility for phase 1a.

Date published:
Audience:
Health sector

Thank you for continuing to stay up to date with the latest information via this newsletter.

Please share this newsletter with your colleagues and workforce, particularly your communications teams and encourage them to subscribe for future updates. You can view past editions of the Protecting Older Australians Newsletter.

Anyone living in an aged care facility, their family or representative who needs support should contact the Older Person’s Advocacy Network on 1800 700 600.

Guidance on COVID-19 vaccine consent

Residential aged care providers are responsible for obtaining and recording resident consent for the COVID-19 vaccine, which must be completed ahead of the vaccination day.

Consent is required for both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Consent for receiving both doses can be obtained at the same time, prior to the first dose.

The residential aged care provider must keep a record of the resident’s consent. This record will be used to confirm consent prior to both doses.

  • If you receive verbal consent, confirm that consent is being provided for two doses of the same vaccine. Record this through your usual practices.
  • If you use the Department of Health’s consent form, or an alternate form of written consent, ensure consent is understood as being provided for the two doses of the same vaccine.

Visit the Department of Health’s website for more information or to read the consent form in other languages.

COVID-19 vaccine scenario mapping and triage process

The COVID-19 rollout is one of the country’s most complex logistical operations. To help and support residential aged care facilities navigate and manage various scenarios, the following document is available online:

This document also includes information on the Department of Health’s excess dose policy for Phase 1a of the COVID-19 vaccine roll out in residential aged care facilities.

Aged care staff eligibility for phase 1a

Residential aged care staff eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in phase 1a include all people working at a residential aged care facility who are responsible for resident care, support and services for residents, maintenance and administration. Clarification and guidance is available online:

Vaccine eligibility checker

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