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Department of Health and Aged Care pauses publishing aged care COVID-19 vaccination rates

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The Department of Health and Aged Care has paused reporting of aged care resident vaccination rates in its weekly 'COVID-19 outbreaks in Australian residential aged care homes' report. 

"The department is reviewing COVID-19 vaccination data and reporting for 2024," the report states.

"Updated data on COVID-19 vaccinations in residential aged care will be provided in the coming weeks."

Aged care residents remain "a high priority" for the Government’s COVID-19 vaccination program and the Department is working with providers and the primary healthcare sector to ensure residents have access to the vaccine, the report states.

818 aged care residents tested positive to COVID-19 in the week to 21 March 2024, the first time the tally has fallen below 1,000 since October 2023, according to Department of Health and Aged Care data.

Staff cases also fell to an October low, with 347 staff testing positive to the virus during the week.

There were 14 resident deaths from COVID-19 in the week, a reflection of the post-Christmas surge in cases.