Few Geraldton aged care workers yet to get mandatory COVID vaccination after deadline

Almost all Geraldton residential aged care workers have now received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, with the handful of staff yet to get the jab giving notice of their intention to do so.

Today marks the State Government-imposed deadline for aged care workers to get vaccinated after it was announced earlier this year vaccines would be mandatory for those employed in the industry.

Staff must now provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination if they wish to continue working in residential aged care.

At Nazareth House Geraldton, 99 per cent of the aged care workforce have received their jab.

Facility manager Mia Jebi said the two staff members who had yet to get their first dose were on leave and had confirmed they would be vaccinated before returning to work.

Ms Jebi said all staff had responded “positively” to being vaccinated against COVID-19.

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All employees rostered to work at Juniper’s Hillcrest facility have received at least one jab.

Chief executive Chris Hall said Juniper would be “fully compliant” with all WA Health directions.

A Geraldton Shore Care Community spokesperson said 100 per cent of its workforce had had the vaccine.

Exemptions to mandatory vaccination will only apply in exceptional circumstances, with temporary exemptions based on individual medical conditions, some non-medical conditions, and certain aged care facility conditions.