Message from the Chief Executive Update
In this update, we cover:
- COVID-19 vaccination update
- Care model for COVID-19 positive patients
- Flu vaccination commencement
COVID-19 vaccination update
Following the government’s announcement yesterday and my previous update, I appreciate you may have many questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccination program. Our team are working to provide the latest advice and inform our next steps. We have paused AstraZeneca vaccinations, booked from Friday 9 April to Tuesday 13 April, and will reschedule all bookings once the revised model is in place. For now, I ask for your patience and understanding, particularly when calling the booking or enquiries line; please be mindful that we don’t have all the answers yet.
If you have received your first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, it is safe to receive your second and your scheduled appointment will be maintained. There are no reported cases of this rare side effect, that has been associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, occurring after a second dose. It is very important that if you have received the first dose (regardless of age) you should continue to get the second dose, because you must receive the second dose to ensure ongoing immunity. It is not possible to switch vaccines if you have received AstraZeneca as your first dose.
I encourage you to stay informed through the employee vaccination website, the CE Updates and attend our Employee Forums. The latest bulletin from the State government gives further details about the AstraZeneca announcement here.
Care model for COVID-19 positive patients
As vaccination rates increase and following the release of a new Department of Health policy, Monash Health has developed a new model of care for healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 positive or high-risk sCOVID patients.
The new model of care has been established with our employees’ health and safety at the forefront. This will involve only those healthcare workers who have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine working with COVID-19 positive or high-risk sCOVID patients.
Find out more here.
Flu vaccination to commence at Monash Health
Flu season is here once again, and so is our free flu vaccination program. In the coming week, the Infection Prevention Team will roll out our annual flu vaccination program. The program will run as it has in previous years, with vaccination days at sites, mobile immunisers visiting wards and after-hours vaccination rounds. The flu vaccination is free, and no bookings are required.
Read more about this year’s flu vaccination program here.
Thank you.
Andrew Stripp
Chief Executive
All managers are requested to share these updates with their teams and discuss at stand-ups and handovers. Please print a copy and display it in communication books and on employee noticeboards.
As advice and information evolve, please consult the latest updates and visit the Department of Health and Human Services and Monash Health COVID-19 website for employees regularly for the latest.