FLU JAB SHAKE-UP
AGED CARE DEATHS FALLOUT
COMPULSORY flu vaccinations for aged care workers will be investigated by the Federal Government in the wake of several deaths in Tasmania and Victoria.
With Australia in the midst of an influenza epidemic, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has asked chief medical officer Brendan Murphy to investigate ways to ensure all aged care workers are properly vaccinated against the flu.
More than 90,000 cases of influenza, including 1500 in Tasmania, have been reported this year, which is 2½ times the number recorded in the same period last year.
“I will work with the medical authorities, health care workers and the aged care providers on how we can make it compulsory for those working in aged care facilities,” Mr Hunt said yesterday.
“We cannot continue to have a situation where people, whose immunity is already low, are at risk from others who may be infected.”
The announcement comes after six residents of a North West nursing home died and seven residents at a Victorian aged care home died in the two weeks up to Wednesday.
Uniting Agewell confirmed at the weekend six residents died because of an influenza outbreak at the Strathdevon aged care facility at Latrobe between August 9 and 16.
Acting chief executive Graeme Barnes said the facility was cleared of the illness on August 30.
There is currently no requirement for aged care workers to be vaccinated under law, but aged care providers have a duty of care to provide the saf- est possible environment for their residents and workers.
“The Commonwealth will move in conjunction with the states and authorities and the Council of the Ageing to ensure that all aged care workers are given flu vaccines before next year’s flu season,” Mr Hunt said.
A spokesman said the State Government was “looking forward to working closely with the Federal Government,” but did not elaborate on how the program would be rolled out.
Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt has also instructed the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency to do an urgent review into the practices of all aged care facilities.
“Older people are always vulnerable to the flu, but the many deaths this year are unacceptable,” he said.
Council of the Ageing Tasmania chief executive officer Sue Leitch welcomed the move to make the vaccinations compulsory.
“The whole community needs to take a proactive approach to getting vaccinated because the more people that are, the greater the protection for people who are vulnerable,” she said.
Health authorities also urged people to not visit Bea- consfield District Health Service unless absolutely necessary after an outbreak of influenza.
News of the Beaconsfield outbreak came as authorities confirmed they were monitoring nine nursing homes experiencing flu outbreaks.
Free flu vaccinations are available for people over 65, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged six months to five years old or over 15, pregnant woman or any person with underlying conditions over six months of age. To receive your influenza vaccination, visit your local doctor or immunisation provider.