Fewer than one in 10 residents are vaccinated against COVID in eight WA aged-care homes

Eight residential aged-care homes in WA have fewer than 10 per cent of their residents vaccinated against COVID, despite them being in the highest risk category. At the other end of the scale, 13 homes boast vaccination rates greater than 90 per cent. New figures provided by the Department of Health and Aged Care showed a wide discrepancy in the protection of residents from the disease. In the past week, 48 aged-care residents have died from COVID. “I would like to know more about why some facilities can have over 90 per cent of residents vaccinated, and others have less than 10 per cent. It’s pretty shocking to see such low numbers in so many facilities,” WA Health Consumers’ Council executive director Clare Mullen said. “Personally, if my loved one was in a facility with very low rates of vaccinations, I’d be asking questions about the quality of all the care they’re receiving.” The new data includes any dose administered to a resident over the past 12 months. The current recommendation is for people aged 75 years or older to receive a vaccine dose every six months. The homes with fewer than 10 per cent vaccinated include four in the Perth metro area. These were St Lukes Nursing Home in Shenton Park, Villa Dalmacia Aged Care in Spearwood, Applecross Shore Care Community and Meadow Springs Aged Care, Mandurah. In regional areas, facilities with the same low rate include Baptistcare Balladong Gardens in York, Geraldton Shore Care Community and Springhaven Frail Aged Hostel at Kojonup. There are nine residential aged care homes with between 10 and 20 per cent of residents vaccinated in the past year. These were Emerald Life in West Leederville, Southern Plus East Fremantle, Hamersley Nursing Home in Shenton Park, Concorde Nursing Home in South Perth, Midland Nursing Home, Bassendean Aged Care, Regis Woodlands, Baptistcare David Buttfield Centre, in Gwelup and Hocart Lodge at Harvey. Residential aged care homes with more than 90 per cent of residents’ vaccinated included Sister Mary Glowrey in Belmont, Juniper Hilltop in Bentley, Swancare Ningaga in Bentley, Juniper John Bryant in Marangaroo; Juniper Trinity at Bentley, James Watson Centre in East Perth, Amana Living James Brown Care Centre in Osborne Park, Bethanie Kingsley, Marine Views in Cottesloe, Mosman Park Nursing Home and Riversea Mosman Park. Homes in regional areas boasting the same 90 per cent-plus score included Karlarra House in South Hedland and Juniper Gerdewoonem in Kununurra. “Older age remains the biggest risk factor for severe COVID-19 disease,” the Department of Health and Aged Care said. Outside of the Northern Territory, WA has the lowest rate of vaccination in residential aged care homes in Australia at 36.5 per cent. There has been a slight improvement on last month’s 32.9 per cent of coverage. Ms Mullen has written to both State and Federal Governments calling for urgent action and collaboration between them to lift WA’s poor vaccination rate. “Health Consumers’ Council first raised this issue with both state and Federal Departments of Health in January this year,” she said. “Older people are particularly susceptible to severe illness from COVID and vaccination is recommended as the best protection. “Research indicates that COVID vaccinations can reduce the risk of death from COVID by 50 to 75 per cent for people over 65. “We’d encourage everyone with a loved one or family member in aged care to take action to ensure they’re protected. “Aged care providers are responsible for making vaccines available to residents. Speak to your facility, or if it’s appropriate for your loved one find a COVID vaccine clinic online at HealthDirect.” She added that while many people felt like COVID was in the past, it could still be a serious illness, with severe consequences, for others. “There are small things we can all do to play our part in helping everyone in the community stay well, particularly people who are most vulnerable,” she said. “Wear a mask in public places if you can’t socially distance, stay home if you’re unwell, get vaccinated, and encourage older loved ones and family members to get vaccinated.” In the past week there were 33 COVID outbreaks in WA residential aged care homes. Nationally, 40.3 per cent of aged care residents received a booster dose in the last six months. The Department of Health and Aged Care said there were a number of barriers “which may contribute to people not getting their boosters” including vaccine fatigue, the WHO ending the public health emergency and a “perceived reduced risk of COVID”.