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With more than 450 active outbreaks at last count, experts say the ‘disappointingly low’ coverage is putting the already vulnerable at risk.
More than 3700 COVID-19 cases have been reported in 453 active outbreaks in RACFs as of 20 June.
Despite the vulnerability of their patients, 97 residential aged care facilities (RACFs) across Australia have COVID-19 vaccination rates below 10%, newly released data shows.
This severe shortfall has prompted health authorities to plead with providers to up their vaccine rates, saying the lives of their patients and communities, are being put at risk.
According to the new Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) data, out of 2609 RACFs, 97 had less than 10% coverage, 73 had 10–20% coverage, and 126 had between 20–30%.
In total, 706 facilities reported having less than 50% of their residents vaccinated against COVID-19.
Of those with the worst coverage, 37 are in New South Wales, 17 in Queensland, eight in South Australia, one in Tasmania, 26 in Victoria, and eight in Western Australia.
At the other end of the spectrum, 208 RACFs had coverage of between 90–100%, and 502 were sitting at 80–90%.
It comes as outbreaks remain common within facilities, with 3737 active COVID-19 cases reported in 453 active outbreaks in homes across Australia as of 20 June.
One-hundred-and-sixty-one new outbreaks, 59 new resident deaths, and 3606 combined new resident and staff cases have been reported since 13 June.
Additionally, this year to date, COVID-19 is recorded as the cause of death in 2.2% of all deaths in permanent residents in aged care homes.
Since the beginning of the Omicron outbreak in mid-December 2021, 149,194 deaths have been recorded in residential aged care from all causes, and COVID-19 deaths account for 3.9% of these.
Dr Anthony Marinucci, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Aged Care, told newsGP that ensuring ongoing high rates of population vaccination remains a core challenge in primary care.
‘There are multiple benefits from vaccination for COVID-19, including, but not limited to, protecting against severe illness and death, and reducing the prevalence of symptoms associated with long COVID,’ he said.
‘[It also] protects people who can’t be vaccinated due to medical conditions, and slows the spread of the virus, especially important in an aged care setting.
‘If the trend of decreased vaccination continues, all these factors may become more prevalent.’
Around 139,000 residential aged care residents have received a booster dose since 1 January 2023, 74,300 have received a booster dose in the last six months, and 3300 received a vaccine dose in the past week.
These rates remain lowest in the Northern Territory, where just 22% of residents are vaccinated, followed by 36% in Western Australia, and 38% in New South Wales.
The low coverage comes despite numerous pleas from Australia’s top health officials, issuing a stern warning to providers to ensure their residents are protected against COVID-19.
In a letter penned by Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson last month, the pair urged RACFs to ensure their residents were vaccinated ahead of winter.
‘Vaccination rates in residential aged care remain disappointingly low,’ they said.
‘The evidence is compelling that old age is the biggest risk to becoming seriously ill with COVID-19, and it is now well understood that people living in residential aged care are particularly vulnerable.
‘Thorough preparation and ongoing vigilance are key to managing the risks that COVID-19 presents in aged care settings, and aged care provider boards and leadership teams have clear accountability and responsibility for ensuring this.’
According to the letter, COVID-19 vaccines can reduce the risk of hospitalisation by 71–77%, and intensive care unit admissions by 73%.
COVID-19 vaccinations remain free and recommended every year for patients aged 65 and over and every six months for those aged 75 and over, as well as adults who are severely immunocompromised.
But Dr Marinucci said vaccine refusal and fatigue is not a new phenomenon and not limited to COVID-19.
‘In general, I have seen a small uptick in vaccine refusal, but it is certainly not the trend with my patient cohort,’ he said.
‘Reasons for vaccine fatigue are multifactorial, but in general, effective, empathetic and regular vaccine communications remain the most important way to ensure we keep our vulnerable populations, such as those living in RACF, adequately protected against infectious disease.’
The Department of Health and Aged Care did not respond to questions about low vaccination rates, but in a previous statement it reiterated that vaccinations are the best way to protect older people.
‘COVID-19 and influenza cases are rising in residential aged care homes, vaccination rates are low,’ it said.
‘Aged care providers are responsible for making vaccines easily available to aged care residents.’
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