COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccination Consent 21 February

Dear Resident, Family and Friends

The COVID-19 vaccination program, focused on protecting our most vulnerable will begin in every state and territory Monday 22^nd February. It is anticipated that the roll out to aged care facilities, both in the city and regionally will take approximately six weeks.

Columbia has NOT yet been advised of a date that Residents will be vaccinated. 

ALL Residents wishing to receive the vaccine will need to complete (or their representatives) a Consent form and return it to the facility. Printed consent forms will be available from Reception next week. Residents who do not have a signed consent form on file will NOT be able to receive the vaccine.  Please return the signed consent form as soon as possible.

It is important both residents and families understand what information is available to them as the vaccine strategy is rolled out. You can find information (as well as in other languages) on COVID-19 on the Department of Health’s COVID 19 vaccines website or please see below.

Fact sheets and guides

·       COVID-19 vaccination: Consent form for COVID-19 vaccination

·       COVID-19 vaccination: Information on COVID-19 Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine

·       COVID-19 vaccination: Preparing for COVID-19 vaccination

·       COVID-19 vaccination: After your COVID-19 vaccination

COVID-19 information in other languages is available for download at:-

https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-vaccine-information-in-your-language

The vaccine;-

• will NOT be mandatory. 
• will be free for all Australian citizens, permanent residents, and most visa-holders.
• (Pfizer) has met the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) rigorous standards for safety, quality and efficacy.

I encourage everyone to ask if they need help understanding the vaccine program – please speak with your GP or an independent health professional.

Every year we work closely with our local Public Health Unit on the distribution of the influenza vaccine for Residents.  Our PHU will be supporting the Commonwealth in the delivery of the vaccine into aged care. Preparation for the vaccination is well under way across Columbia.

We are all being encouraged to get the vaccine.  Those who have been vaccinated have a much lower chance of getting sick from COVID-19.

Regards,

Marian