Aged care vaccination hub opens Friday

A vaccination hub for aged care workers is to be opened on the Peninsula, possibly as soon as Friday.

The hub will staffed by NSW Health and will help aged care workers become vaccinated by the September 17 deadline.

It is to be set up in the disused Jack Aldous House at Peninsula Village.

Peninsula Villages chief executive Mr Fred van Steel said the aged care home would make its Umina Beach facility available as a vaccination hub which will deliver much-needed Covid-19 vaccines to Central Coast aged care workers.

Jack Aldous House closed last year to make way for the newly-opened Pozieres House.

"The clinical nature of the facility, as well as its separation from the rest of Peninsula Villages' facilities, made this an ideal choice of location for NSW Health," Mr van Steel said.

"Aged care workers will be able to access the hub via a separate carpark.

"There will be no crossover between those attending the vaccination centre and other Peninsula Villages facilities.

"It will be staffed by NSW Health contracted workers.

"Peninsula Village staff will remain separate from the clinic at all times.

"The move comes as vaccines have become mandatory for all aged care staff, meaning all must become vaccinated by September 17."

Mr Van Steel said: "At present, care staff are struggling to access vaccinations in existing hubs, and there are concerns many may run out of time to be able to access their jab before the deadline.

"As the largest aged care provider on the Coast, it's our duty to ensure that as many staff can be vaccinated as possible.

"We know from our own experience that staff want to do the right thing, but many are spending hours, after long shifts, queuing at vaccination centres, or having appointments cancelled due to lack of availability.

"We want to be able to assist all aged care staff on the Coast to access a vaccine so they can continue to do their jobs."

SOURCE:

Media release, 6 Aug 2021

Emily Miller, Brilliant Logic