PUBLIC residential aged care across the region is leading the charge in workforce jab rates. Almost half the aged care facilities in Ballarat already boast at least 80 per cent of staff having received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, almost four weeks ahead of the federal government's mandatory deadline.
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Ballarat has endured its first weekday back in full lockdown with businesses hurting and schools closed.
Victoria recorded 71 new locally-acquired coronavirus cases on Monday. The health department confirmed 49 cases were linked to known outbreaks, while the remaining 22 infections remained under investigation.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews again reiterated on Monday a 70 to 80 per cent vaccination rate was the only available option to avoid harsh statewide lockdowns like we are living in right now.
Premier Andrews said national mapping was clear: 70 per cent vaccination meant lockdowns were "less likely" but, in Australia, this was equivalent to the whole population of Victoria not being jabbed.
He said the step up to 80 per cent meant it would be "highly, highly unlikely anything like a state lockdown".
In Ballarat seven of the 16 residential aged care facilities have achieved this target. All seven on target are run by Ballarat Aged Care, an arm of Ballarat Health Services.
Four - James Thomas Court, WB Messer, Talbot Place and Steel Houghton Unit - have more than 90 per cent of staff with at least a first dose, according to federal health data My Aged Care from August 17.
Aged care vaccinations for residents and staff was the first major undertaking for BHS' jab roll-outs, starting in early March.
Private aged care vaccinations fell under a Commonwealth jab program that experienced early delays.
All aged care services must provide a weekly vaccination report, on all staff and residents, to the federal government each Tuesday.
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Royal Freemasons Ballarat has the highest proportion of vaccinated staff in an independent facility, at 70 to 79 per cent. At the other end of the scale, less than 40 per cent of staff at the OC Health-run Mount Clear Aged Care have recorded one COVID dose and less than 50 per cent of Japara-run Kiralee are jabbed.
Creswick's community-operated John Curtin Aged Care has one of the region's highest staff vaccination rates with 99 per cent having received their first dose. Eighty-eight per cent of John Curtain staff are fully vaccinated with a further 11 per cent booked in for their second shot.
Of John Curtin's 58 residents, 93 per cent are fully vaccinated. Others have chosen not to be vaccinated.
John Curtin business improvement coordinator Lynne Sheedy said vaccine protection was part of a big push under the organisation's new administration.
We are therefore very supportive of (staff) time off if required to have their vaccinations and supportive in the following days if staff are away due to any side effects experienced.
- Lynne Sheedy, John Curtin Aged Care
"Due to the care for our residents we have been very keen to ensure that they are safe at all time by ensuring that the clinical and non-clinical staff that work at John Curtin are as fully vaccinated as possible," Ms Sheedy said.
"We are therefore very supportive of time off if required to have their vaccinations and supportive in the following days if staff are away due to any side effects experienced."
Beaufort Nursing Home and Hepburn House also recorded more than 90 per cent of staff with at least one dose.
Premier Andrews said 70 to 80 per cent vaccination rates in the community gave options, "all much better in the very limited set of options" governments had, in tackling the pandemic.
Last week's federal government COVID vaccination data showed Ballarat was lagging behind Bendigo, Geelong and Warrnambool.
Victorians aged in their 60s had the slowest jab rate, aside from the newly added under-40s, at 28.09 per cent double-dosed.
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