Most Geraldton aged-care staff already vaccinated ahead of mandatory COVID program rollout

Geraldton is on track to have all aged care workers vaccinated before it becomes mandatory for employees in the industry to get the COVID-19 jab.

Aged care workers will be forced to get vaccinated by the middle of next month under an agreement reached by National Cabinet.

According to Health Department figures, an average of 70-79 per cent of aged care staff working in the Mid West had received at least one vaccine dose as of Tuesday.

The statistics show at least 70 per cent of workers at Nazareth House have been vaccinated.

A Geraldton Shore Care Community spokesperson said 97 per cent of staff had received one or both doses, with all residents who had requested vaccination also given at least one dose.

“The people we care for are among the most vulnerable to COVID in the community, so we moved quickly to assist our team when the vaccine became available,” the spokesperson said.

“We provided information and resources about the vaccine to help inform their decision. We also provided transport to the vaccine clinic to help them access the vaccine quickly and comfortably, and we had frequent conversations together about the importance of the vaccine in protecting our community.”

At Juniper Hillcrest, 76 per cent of Geraldton staff had been given at least one jab as of Wednesday.

Juniper chief executive Chris Hall said the figures were “encouraging” and showed the centre was “tracking well” towards all staff being vaccinated.

“Juniper is supportive and committed to achieving 100 per cent COVID-19 vaccinations for all our employees working in residential aged care by September 17, 2021,” he said.

“We are continuing with our vaccination program that provides a variety of options for our workforce to receive a vaccination.

“This includes vaccination clinics at our own facilities, WA Health and WA Country Health Service dedicated clinics for residential aged care workers, and selected medical centres offering priority for residential aged care workers.”