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ABC News
22-04-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Low COVID-19 booster rates in aged care and older Australians prompt warnings ahead of winter
Less than half of Australia's aged care residents 75 years and older are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations — despite being at the highest risk of severe illness and death. "It is crucial for us to increase vaccination rates in residential aged care homes," Australia's chief medical officer and aged care quality and safety commissioner recently wrote in a The letter follows Data shows 45.8 per cent of aged care residents over 75 years have received a COVID vaccine in the past six months. National immunisation guidelines All COVID-19 vaccinations are free for people living in Australia. ( ABC News: Ongerung Kambes Kesolei ) Meanwhile, in the wider community, data from the Department of Health and Aged Care shows Infectious diseases specialist Paul Griffin said the risk of dying from COVID-19 was much lower now than at the beginning of the pandemic, but that the disease still posed a significant risk to older Australians, particularly those in aged care. "The COVID landscape has changed very significantly and many people now, rightly or wrongly, perceive the risk as very low. But in the aged care setting, the risk remains high," Professor Griffin, director of infectious diseases at Mater Health Services in Brisbane, said. " [Vaccination rates] are well below where they need to be. " As of April 10, there were 70 active COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care homes across the country, according to health department data. Professor Griffin said low vaccination rates were particularly concerning heading into winter months, which typically bring an increase in respiratory illnesses. "When we have another wave, which unfortunately is inevitable, the impact of that wave will be greater than it would have otherwise been based on the fact that we're perhaps doing the least to reduce the impact of COVID that we've done since the pandemic began," he said. COVID still causing hospitalisations and death While all Australians aged 75 and over are recommended six-monthly COVID-19 boosters, adults aged 65 to 74 are also "A dose every six months is most likely to benefit people with medical risk conditions and/or those living in residential aged care homes," the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation notes. People in this cohort are otherwise recommended to get a COVID-19 booster every 12 months. COVID-19 booster recommendations by age group and risk status Age Severely immuno- compromised Not severely immuno- compromised ≥75 years Recommended every 6 months Recommended every 6 months 65–74 years Recommended every 12 months and eligible for a dose every 6 months Recommended every 12 months and eligible for a dose every 6 months 18–64 years Recommended every 12 months and eligible for a dose every 6 months Eligible for a dose every 12 months 5–17 years Eligible for a dose every 12 months Not recommended <5 years Not recommended Not recommended In December, the Department of Health and Aged Care wrote to every aged care facility in Australia to remind them of their obligations to keep residents safe and offer regular vaccinations. "The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will be monitoring vaccination rates for each home and take action where required," the department said in But according to the The national peak body for aged care providers, Ageing Australia, was contacted for comment but declined to respond. Photo shows A man stands in front of COVID-19 related illustrations. As a new wave of COVID-19 hits Australia, why are so few aged care residents up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations? Robert O'Sullivan, president of the Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine, described current vaccination rates as "concerning" and urged providers and residents to increase uptake. "We're still seeing people in hospitals presenting with COVID-19 with serious illness … It's still a significant cause of death in older people, and particularly people in nursing homes," Dr O'Sullivan said. COVID-19 remains the In 2024, 3,852 Australians died from COVID-19; 92 per cent of them were aged 70 and over. Improving health messaging and access To improve vaccination levels, Dr O'Sullivan said it was important to increase public health messaging around the prevalence and seriousness of COVID-19, particularly amongst older age groups, which had "fallen off" in recent years. "Part of it is probably that COVID is a relatively new illness and we don't really have any other vaccine preventable illnesses that require six-monthly vaccination," he said. "Going forward, we need to be very consistent with the message that just as annual influenza vaccination is a really good thing for older people to prevent serious illness and death, six-monthly vaccination for COVID — if you're aged 75 and over or living in a nursing home — is really important." Follow @abchealth on Instagram, where we're busting myths and sharing practical, smart health advice. Professor Griffin added that improving access was also key. "People are finding it a little bit more difficult than they did before — they're not being let know where to get these vaccines or which one to get." In aged care facilities, the federal government provides funding for GPs, pharmacists and primary care providers to administer free COVID-19 vaccines to residents. In the community, COVID vaccines are free for all Australian adults and eligible children, and people are encouraged to speak to their doctor or health provider about vaccination (HealthDirect can also Professor Griffin recommended getting the Pfizer JN.1 booster (known as Comirnaty JN.1) which was made available late last year. "While the previous one [Omicron XBB.1.5-containing vaccine] will provide some protection, we know that COVID is continuing to change … so I would certainly opt for the latest one." COVID-19 boosters can be safely administered at the same time as the flu vaccine, which is now available through GPs and pharmacies. Many older Australians are also now "We see RSV not uncommonly in hospitals and there is now vaccination available, so I'd encourage people to talk to their doctor," Dr O'Sullivan said. Health in your inbox Get the latest health news and information from across the ABC. Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
Daily Mail
21-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
From newlywed joy to cancer shock: How a spontaneous health check saved a young mum's life at 32 - even though she felt 'totally fine'
When Melbourne receptionist Emma Jones booked in for her routine cervical screening test at 32, she didn't think twice. She wasn't experiencing any symptoms and felt healthy, happy and excited for her upcoming wedding. But that spontaneous decision to head in for a quick 15-minute appointment ended up saving her life. According to a 2024 report by the Department of Health and Aged Care, cervical cancer is diagnosed in around 800 Australian women each year - and there are barely any symptoms. Shockingly, about 70 per cent of these cases are occurring in women who have never screened or weren't up to date with their screening tests. 'I have to admit, I'd been a bit slack,' Emma told FEMAIL of making her repeat cervical screening appointment, which involved Pap smears every two years for women aged 20-69, at the time. The National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) was updated in 2017 to a five-yearly screening for Australian women aged 25-74. 'To be honest, I think I was self-conscious, so I was a bit behind with all that but I knew it was important,' she said. 'I wasn't expecting anything to come of it. It was just a routine check and I felt completely fine.' The NCSP had originally been put in place by the government to spot early signs of cervical cancer and to identify those who may have been exposed to HPV (Human Papillomavirus) – a precursor for the potentially deadly disease. 'We know that certain types of HPV are transmitted through sexual activity,' Dr Lara Roeske, Chair of the RACGP Board and a leading expert in cervical cancer prevention told FEMAIL. 'Those two types (HPV 16 and 18) may be associated with the development of significant abnormalities in the cells of the cervix, posing a greater risk of the development of serious changes including cancer.' For Emma, her screening revealed she had indeed been exposed, and the timing couldn't have been more dramatic. 'My first cervical screening, prior to my wedding, revealed abnormalities so I underwent a colposcopy [a procedure used to examine the cervix] which is more in depth.' 'That's when they found a tumour. 'Not long after, I got married, and I was booked straight in for a LLETZ procedure [a surgical procedure to remove abnormal cells from the cervix], where they removed the tumour and took a biopsy to make sure they'd removed everything else. 'Two weeks later I was told I had cancer - Stage IA1, which was luckily the earliest possible stage.' Emma and her new husband were set to jet off on a six-week trip of a lifetime around America for their honeymoon just weeks after her life changing diagnosis. 'I stopped in the middle of the street and just started crying in front of my husband. It was a shock,' she said. Although doctors cleared Emma to fly so she could enjoy her long-awaited trip, the worldwide pandemic COVID-19 hit only seven days into the holiday, forcing her to come straight home. The newlyweds were forced back to Australia (at a hefty personal expense) to then spend two weeks in quarantine before Emma could undergo her urgent surgery. Fast forward four years, and Emma, now 36, is cancer-free - and the proud mum to a healthy baby boy. 'I certainly didn't think this would happen to me, especially at my age,' Emma admitted. Most Australians are vaccinated from the age of eleven years old against HPV, which is a common virus that eight in 10 sexually active Australian adults will be exposed to in their lifetime. Cervical Screening: THE FACTS • Free in Australia for women aged 25 to 74 • Now tests for HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer • Needs to be done every 5 years if results are normal • Self-collection now available (ask your GP) • Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by HPV - but early detection is the key to prevention 'We call it the common cold of sexual activity, that's how common it is,' said Dr Roeske. 'Most types of HPV infection are low risk, and they're cleared. Most people aren't even aware they have the infection. 'However, ongoing screening is crucial because the HPV vaccination doesn't cover every single strain that is associated with the possible risk of cervical cancer. It certainly covers the majority though.' Making it even easier for Australian women everywhere, there is now the option of a self-collection. 'Introduced in 2021, everyone now is offered a choice to have the screening performed by either their doctor or nurse, or to take their own samples, which is really exciting,' Dr Roeske said. 'One thing I think we can be very proud of is Australia is a world leader in cervical cancer prevention. 'All the components that go into running really a world class screening program has led to the fact that we will be the first country in the world to eliminate cervical cancer.' As for a timeline, Dr Roeske said Australia is set to be free of all cervical cancer cases by 2035 or sooner.
The Guardian
01-03-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Labor pledges $644m for 50 new Medicare urgent care clinics across Australia
The federal Labor government has vowed to open an extra 50 bulk-billing urgent care clinics by mid-2026 if it secures a second term at the upcoming election. The election pledge means most Australians could be living within 20 minutes of a Medicare clinic, Labor has claimed. The $644m plan aims to deliver extra clinics in every state and territory. The government has released a list of target areas but said the final sites would be decided independently. Ahead of the last federal election, Labor announced plans for 50 Medicare urgent care clinics before going on to open 87 in government. Once the new clinics were operating, about 80% of Australians would live within a 20 minute drive of one of the 137 facilities, the government said citing Department of Health and Aged Care analysis. So far, more than 1.2 million people have received care at the existing clinics, Labor said. Medicare urgent care clinics offer free care by GPs or nurses for non-life-threatening conditions or injuries and operate seven days a week for extended hours. They were initially set up to take pressure off public hospitals. Treatment is offered for minor injuries (like cuts, basic fractures, burns, suturing and bandaging and foreign objects in ears, nose or throat) and minor illnesses (like bronchitis, rashes, gastro, first trimester pregnancy bleeding or ear, nose, throat and eye infections). One in three patients are under the age of 15 at the existing clinics. 'This announcement of 50 additional urgent care clinics, if we are re-elected, will provide the urgent care people need – and all you will need is your Medicare card, not your credit card,' the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said on Saturday night. The government has been emphasising health announcements in the lead up to Albanese revealing the election date. The poll must be held by 17 May but could happen as early as mid-April. The government said funding for the latest commitment of urgent care clinics was provided in the 2024-25 mid-year budget update. Labor last weekend promised 18m extra bulk-billed GP visits a year as part of an $8.5bn investment in Medicare. Described by the government as the 'single largest investment in Medicare since its creation' more than four decades ago, the policy pledge also included more than 400 nursing scholarships and 2,000 doctors through new general practice training programs. The proposed new sites for the urgent care clinics are: Bathurst, Bega, Burwood, Chatswood, Dee Why, Green Valley and surrounds, Maitland, Marrickville, Nowra, Rouse Hill, Shellharbour, Terrigal, Tweed Valley and Windsor Bayside, Clifton Hill, Coburg, Diamond Creek and surrounds, Lilydale, Pakenham, Somerville, Stonnington, Sunshine, Torquay, Warrnambool and Warragul Sign up to Morning Mail Our Australian morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Brisbane, Buderim, Burpengary, Cairns, Caloundra, Capalaba, Carindale, Gladstone, Greenslopes and surrounds and Mackay Bateman, Ellenbrook, Geraldton, Mirrabooka, Mundaring and Yanchep East Adelaide, Victor Harbour and Whyalla Burnie, Kingston and Sorell Darwin Woden Valley
