Only 58% of aged care residents have received the latest booster updates despite there being 791 active cases among residents in residential aged care and 40 deaths from COVID-19 in the last week.

The number of residents vaccinated during the week dropped to 2,681, down nearly 50% from about 5,000 per week in early June, showing the rate of vaccination has dropped off sharply.

Ciarán Foley, Chief Executive Officer of Allambie Heights Village, told The SOURCE that 98% of their residents are fully vaccinated. 

He was “shocked” to hear only 58% of residents are fully vaccinated, and suggested it could be because there hasn’t been such strong messaging in the media. 

It could also reflect “complacency” among families, Ciarán said. “I believe it's got to do with families who perhaps are living the life of ‘We don't need to be vaccinated. We've got all these freedoms and we're saying mum and dad don't need it’.” 

He said GPs and pharmacies have always been available to give vaccinations at Allambie Heights Village when asked. 

Resident cases are down 71% from their early June high, but 200 aged care homes, or 7% of all homes, are still experiencing an outbreak.

Between 15 December 2021 and 10 July 2023, the period of the Omicron outbreak, there have been 5,000 deaths from COVID-19 in residential aged care.

The SOURCE: More than 40% of aged care residents are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, leaving thousands of staff and residents vulnerable.