COVID-19 UPDATE | COVID-19 Vaccination Program No images? Click here IMPORTANT: Update on the COVID-19 Vaccination Program for employees, volunteers and VMOs
Calvary strongly supports COVID-19 vaccination and recommends every person chooses to be vaccinated when eligible, particularly those who work for and with our services. Our first priority is the safety of the vulnerable people in our care, our staff and volunteers, VMO partners and the broader communities we serve. Receiving the vaccine is a safe, effective and cost-free way to be better protected from the serious health impacts of COVID-19 infection. Remember that COVID-19 vaccination is a personal choice and entirely voluntary. Consistent with Government directions, Calvary has not mandated vaccination for employees, volunteers, VMO partners, residential aged care residents or visitors. Update on Australia’s National COVID-19 Vaccination Program As you will know, the Federal Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program will make the vaccine available for all people in Australia, providing the vaccine for the most vulnerable people first. Employees working in certain environments, including ICU and ED staff, and residential aged care and disability staff, have been and continue to be among the first people who can choose to receive the vaccine.
The Federal Government has had setbacks in securing the necessary supply of the vaccine to meet its targets for rollout to Phases 1a and 1b groups. Delays in delivery have impacted availability and subsequent supply to the states and territories for administration to all people eligible. While some 1a employees and other personnel have received the vaccine, specific dates for the roll out in other jurisdictions are yet to be determined and communicated to Calvary by government. Our local teams continue to work closely with jurisdictional authorities as much as possible to gain access to the vaccine for our people. When can I receive my COVID-19 vaccination? You may be eligible now to receive the vaccine. Check the Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility Tracker at https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility?lang=en to see if you are eligible and where you can book you COVID-19 vaccination. If you are eligible to receive the vaccine, you will be able to book your vaccination now by contacting a participating GP surgery or pharmacy or other vaccination hub. There is no need to wait for the coordination of any potential future clinic at your Calvary site as arrangements will differ across jurisdictions and service streams. Remember that the COVID-19 vaccine is entirely free of cost, whether it is administered via a participating GP surgery or pharmacy or other vaccination hub. Remember to complete the Calvary COVID-19 Vaccination Form To help us maintain safe working and care environments, Calvary employees, volunteers, VMO and GP partners and contractors are required to complete this information:
The COVID-19 Vaccination Form can be accessed via the left hand menu bar in My Kiosk. For detailed instructions for accessing and completing the form, read our previous communication to all employees. Update on the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Following a review of the use of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the following recommendations have been made and accepted by the Australian Government:
The ATAGI recommendation has been made in the context of:
What about the seasonal Influenza vaccine? The seasonal Influenza vaccine remains very important this year, particularly for people who are working for and with health and aged care organisations. We encourage every person to be vaccinated against Influenza, taking into consideration the 14 days recommended gap between the Influenza vaccination and any COVID-19 vaccination. Where can I find more information? For more information about the COVID-19 vaccination program, please contact the National coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine helpline on 1800 020 080 or visit the Commonwealth Department of Health COVID-19 vaccination website. We will continue to keep staff, volunteers and VMO partners updated as more information becomes available. For the latest Calvary COVID-19 updates, please visit the Staff COVID-19 Updates webpage on a regular basis. Founded in 1885 by the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, Calvary is a charitable, not-for-profit, Catholic health care organisation. Our mission is to provide quality, compassionate health care to the most vulnerable, including those reaching the end of their life. We are responsible for over 12,000 staff and volunteers, 14 Public and Private Hospitals, 17 Retirement and Aged Care Facilities and a national network of Community Care Centres. |