COVID-19 in RACH - vaccinations ahead of the festive season

Residential aged care homes are communal environments where infections can spread rapidly. Vaccines are the best protection of serious illness and hospitalisation in older people. From 1 November 2025, the new Aged Care Act 2024 strengthened the requirement for Residential Aged Care providers to provide access to recommended vaccinations for their residents. This includes vaccines such as influenza, COVID-19, shingles and pneumococcal. 

As we approach the festive season, it’s important for aged care residents and staff keep up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination, as cases normally increase over this period. 

COVID-19 vaccines are free and recommended:

• every 6 months for people aged 75 and over
• every 12 months for people aged 65 to 74
• every 12 months for adults who are severely immunocompromised.

Organise access to COVID-19 vaccination through GP, pharmacist or accredited immuniser. Find a vaccine provider via the healthdirect Service Finder.  

For more details, refer to  COVID-19 vaccination information for residents of aged care homes.