'It's an abject failure': Griffith aged care homes yet to receive COVID-19 vaccine

Despite being named in Phase 1a of the national vaccine rollout, aged care homes in Griffith still haven't received any doses of the vaccine and have no idea when they will arrive.

The delay means over 200 elderly Griffith residents are still unable to visit family and friends without the fear of contracting coronavirus.

Dr Elizabeth Dodd, a rural generalist who treats the majority of Griffith's aged care residents, said the confusion surrounding the rollout has taken a toll on those who wish to be protected from the virus.

"The problem is that there are aged care residents who have been locked down either absolutely or partially since last March," Dr Dodd said.

"These people have not left their nursing home. They want to go out. They want to visit their family without the risk of getting coronavirus."

Dr Dodd described the delivery of the vaccine to aged care homes in the Western Murrumbidgee as an "abject failure".

The delivery of the vaccines to nursing homes is being managed by the NSW Health Department, with the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network coordinating communication between the government and aged care facilities.

In response to questions from The Area News, the Murrumbidgee PHN's COVID-19 pandemic lead coordinator Dr Alison Koschel said there was "no news" on when the vaccine would be available for Griffith aged care homes.

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Erminio Pasin, a resident at Pioneers Lodge, said the COVID-19 pandemic had made it "more difficult" to see his family regularly and it was frustrating to have not yet received the vaccine.

Dr Dodd said it was frustrating that the Murrumbidgee PHN has provided no substantial information on when this will happen.

"We need to know at least what the order is and which areas are next in line," she said.

"If we get that, we can at least figure out generally when we are going to receive it and plan around that."

The approaching flu season has raised more questions on the delays.

NSW Health has recommended people in Phase 1a wait 14 days between receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine.

With no clear timeline of when they will receive the coronavirus vaccine, Griffith aged care homes are now unsure of whether or not they should administer the flu vaccine, Dr Dodd said.

Member for Murray Helen Dalton said nursing homes not having the vaccine yet is "unfair".

"They're the most vulnerable and they should have been the first cab off the rank," Mrs Dalton said.

"These elderly residents are fearful of getting out in the community because it's a risk for them, and they need to have that vaccination so they can get back to normal."

Mrs Dalton said she had spoken to Federal bureaucrats seeking an explanation but has not received a response.

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