The Australian government has recently announced that flu vaccinations will be compulsory for all staff in residential aged care facilities ahead of this year’s flu season. The announcement comes following research showing a significant link between greater staff immunisation and lower rates of flu outbreaks in aged care facilities.
A national survey was completed in 2017 which revealed that only 3.5 of residential aged care facilities had the recommended coverage of 95% or more staff being immunised against the flu. With 43% of providers reporting at least one flu outbreak last year, this announcement comes as an important reminder of the need to try and protect those most vulnerable against the flu.
Read the government’s media release here.