Aged care residents celebrate COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Residents at Wesley Mission Queensland’s Anam Cara Aged Care Community have told of their delight in becoming among the first in Queensland to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Anam Cara Facility Manager Silvia Holl said residents were very excited and felt very privileged to get the vaccine.

“As soon as we had sent out consent forms, these were returned completed in anticipation for the vaccination clinic to happen pretty quickly,” Ms Holl said.

“There truly was a real sense of excitement to be getting the vaccine,” she explained, “with some residents even stating they felt very honoured to be able to get this ‘liquid gold’.”

“The vaccination rollout was a reason to celebrate with balloons, cake and lots of laughter.

“Residents cheered each other on as they came into the observation area after receiving the vaccination. It was a real special two days full of excitement and celebration,” she said.

While Wesley Mission Queensland staff did not administer the vaccine, Ms Holl said their dedicated team of Clinical Nurses, Registered Nurses, carers and administration staff were on hand throughout the two days to ensure residents were comfortable and surrounded by familiar faces.

Anam Cara resident Michael Johnson said he felt very important to have the vaccine.

He commended the facility on doing “a good job” with the vaccinations and when asked if it hurt, replied “No, not at the time. But a little later the arm got sore, but no more than other vaccinations I have had in the past.”

While the pandemic and related lockdowns have significantly affected aged care residents around the world, Mr Johnson was upbeat.

“The only thing that it affected for me was not being able to go to KFC, otherwise it didn’t really affect me too much. We have our little community here and that’s all I needed,” he said.

Ms Holl said that while families could not come and visit physically during visitor restrictions, residents and families kept connected using the many platforms of video calls available to them.

“We also had students from Bray Park State High School, our partner school, keeping in regular contact via Zoom and taking residents away on virtual tours to their art classes and art exhibitions,” Ms Holl said.

“Entertainment staff kept residents busy with enchanting music and facilitated video calls, whilst our wonderful Leisure and Lifestyle Staff ensured individual engagement in meaningful activities,” she added.

The Australian Government is responsible for implementing the COVID-19 Vaccination Program in the majority of residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

An ‘in-reach’ vaccination workforce engaged by the Commonwealth is administering the vaccine to aged care residents, with the support of PHNs.

Sharon Sweeney, Brisbane North PHN’s Executive Manager for Aged and Community Care System Improvement, said the PHN was pleased to be involved in coordination of the vaccine rollout.

“We have been working in partnership with the Department of Health and its contracted workforce providers to support RACFs in preparing for safe and efficient delivery of vaccinations,” Ms Sweeney said.

“Maintaining good communication with RACFs and primary care providers around the vaccine rollout is also a big part of our role.

“This includes our regular Primary Care Liaison Officer visits to GPs, executive-level communication with the Metro North Hospital and Health Service and Queensland Health, and ensuring that any issues or risks are escalated to the Australian Government Department of Health.”

Pictured above: Wesley Mission Queensland’s Annie Gibney reassures Anam Cara resident Robyn McGann, who was the first resident to receive the vaccine at the facility.