CESPHN Immunisation team can support Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) with cold chain management processes, data logger support, advice in the event of a power outage, how to register and use AIR, and connect your facility to other immunisation providers. This page contains resources for both RACF staff and residents.
Subscribe to CESPHN’s Sydney Health Weekly, which contains weekly immunisation updates.
Subscribe to the Department of Health’s aged care sector announcements for updates.
Older adults living in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) are often at higher risk for developing complications from communicable diseases. Ensure your facility has processes to regularly check that your residents are vaccinated against influenza, COVID-19, shingles, RSV and pneumococcal disease.
The ‘Vaccination for healthy ageing‘ resource by the Australian Immunisation Handbook contains a summary of common vaccinations to consider in older adults.
See the Australian Immunisation Handbook for further recommendations.
Use of Tamiflu in residential aged care
Influenza in residential aged care, disability care and home care facilities
Information for aged care providers, workers and residents about COVID-19 vaccines: COVID-19 vaccine program resources for residential, in-home and community aged care.
Resource pack for residential aged care: This collection contains resources for RACFs relating to COVID-19 vaccination, including consent process flowchart, checklist for vaccine clinic planning and consent forms.
Communication Toolkit: Summary of latest recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination doses for RACF residents
Factsheet: Information for residents and families on COVID-19 Vaccination and antiviral treatments
Factsheet: use of Paxlovid in residential aged care.
Factsheet: use of Lagevrio in residential aged care.
Fact sheet: for residents and families on COVID-19 vaccination and antivirals
Residential aged care services should report to the Commonwealth on COVID-19 outbreaks or exposures through the COVID-19 Support Portal, which is accessed through the My Aged Care Provider Portal.
FAQ for residential aged care providers: How to access and use the COVID-19 Support Portal
How to: report COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care through the COVID-19 Support Portal
Process: for providers to report COVID-19 outbreak/exposure in residential aged care
If you are experiencing any issues with ordering through the portal, please call the My Aged Care Service Provider Helpline on 1800 836 799.
Finding a vaccination provider to regularly keep your residents vaccinations up to date can be challenging. RACFs most commonly use GPs, Authorised Nurse Immunisers and pharmacists to vaccinate their residents. If you are having difficulty sourcing a provider, please contact immunisation@cesphn.com.au and we will aim to connect you to an immunisation provider.
To register for AIR, RACF’s must apply for an AIR provider number. Please see our AIR/PRODA webpage for more information or contact CESPHN’s digital health team at digitalhealth@cesphn.com.au to get your organisation registered.
Please see our Cold Chain Management page for more information on how adhere to best practice for cold chain management processes.
Please see our Nurses page for more information on nurse support.
