Changes to Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy No images? Click here Changes to Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
We would like to thank all staff across our Calvary aged care homes, community care and hospitals for your continued efforts to keep our residents, clients and patients safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your tireless attention to infection prevention and control measures has been central to our success in mitigating outbreaks in our facilities. This will continue to be essential as we go into winter with the influenza virus already circulating on top of continued COVID-19 transmission. Vaccination against COVID-19 remains an important defence against severe disease especially for our vulnerable residents, clients, patients and our staff. A booster dose can significantly reduce the risk of infection for some months and is therefore especially useful coming into the winter season. For this and other reasons, Governments across Australia have mandated a booster dose in aged and disability care settings. In some but not all States/Territories, a booster dose is also mandated for all healthcare workers in hospitals. As research and technology evolves to fight the COVID-19 virus, Calvary has committed to regularly reviewing our COVID-19 related policies. Taking into account the variation in each State or Territory, we have decided to remove Calvary’s national booster dose requirement and allow Government Health Orders and Directions to set the booster dose mandates in each jurisdiction. This change means that:
Calvary continues to strongly recommend that all staff receive a booster dose, especially coming into winter to maximise your protection. We will continue to review clinical guidance from Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and how COVID-19 (and any variants) may impact the safety of our patients, residents, clients and employees. Should there be any significant changes, we will re-evaluate this position. A new version of the Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy will be drafted to reflect this position and circulated for feedback in due course. 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. With over 18,000 staff and volunteers, we have a national network of 14 Public and Private Hospitals, 72 Residential Care and Retirement Communities and 19 Community Care service centres. |