As you may already be aware, the NSW Government Chief Health Officer has mandated that any person (including all visitors) entering a residential aged care facility from 1 June 2021 to 30 September 2021 must be vaccinated against seasonal Influenza (Flu). This is mandatory by 1 June 2021.
Commencing Tuesday, 1 June 2021 - Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Requirements
As directed by the NSW Government, from 1 June 2021, any person entering a residential aged care facility will be required to have had this year’s seasonal Influenza vaccination. Any person who has not had their Influenza vaccination by 1 June 2021 will be denied entry.
What if I have received my COVID-19 vaccination?
While COVID-19 vaccination remains voluntary, the NSW Government requires any person entering a NSW residential aged care facility to have had their 2021 seasonal Influenza vaccine by 1 June 2021.
If you have had your COVID-19 vaccination or plan to have your COVID-19 vaccination, there are some things to consider for your safety and wellbeing:
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The preferred minimum interval between a dose of seasonal influenza vaccine and a dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is 14 days.
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There is no particular requirement regarding the order of receiving a dose of seasonal Influenza vaccine and either the first or second dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.
Current Restrictions on Entry
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Screening questions and temperature checks remain in place. Fever is one of the symptoms of COVID-19 and any person with an elevated temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or greater presents a potential risk of transmitting the virus to others.
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Commencing 1 June 2021, any person entering a residential aged care facility must be vaccinated against seasonal Influenza (FluVax). We ask that you please provide evidence of your vaccination to staff and recommend taking a photo of this evidence and keeping it on your mobile phone for easy access.
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As directed by the NSW Government Chief Health Officer, any person who has not had their Influenza vaccination by 1 June 2021 will be denied entry.
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Evidence of your 2021 seasonal Influenza vaccination is required. Our staff will ask to see evidence of your Influenza vaccination before entry will be permitted. Acceptable evidence will be vaccination documentation, supplied by your GP or pharmacist. We recommend taking a photo of this evidence and keeping it on your mobile phone for easy access.
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Refusal of Influenza vaccination on medical grounds. Consistent with the NSW Government Directive, any person who has a medical contraindication to the Influenza vaccine will be required to provide the Facility Manager with evidence.
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Good hand hygiene is important. Please continue to wash your hands regularly. We encourage you to use the hand sanitiser stations at the entrances and throughout our facilities often.
If you do not think you can adhere to these requirements, please contact the relevant Facility Manager to make alternative arrangements.
The cooperation and extraordinary efforts of vendors and suppliers in maintaining services and helping our staff manage the risk of infection to the people in our care has been excellent.
Subject to the current COVID-19 situation in NSW new restrictions to protect the vulnerable people in our care may be necessary.
We will continue to keep you updated.
Should you have any concerns with accessing our sites to provide those services, we ask that you contact us immediately at nationalprocurement@calvarycare.org.au so we can work with you to address those concerns.
Should you become aware of any cases of infection within your organisation, or your subcontractors, then you must advise us immediately by return email to nationalprocurement@calvarycare.org.au with the subject line of ‘COVID-19 CONFIRMED CASE’.
We will then work with you to help minimise any impact and ensure continuity of supply.
Please don’t hesitate to contact national procurement, or the relevant manager of the residential aged care facility you require access to, should you have any questions or would like more information.
Kind regards,
Kerryn Vine-Camp | National Director, People and Corporate Services
Corey Bessi | Head of Procurement
