The federal government has ordered compulsory access to flu vaccines for aged care workers.

The introduction of flu vaccines for aged care workers comes after a “horrific” flu season in 2017, which saw
90 per cent of the 1100 flu-related deaths in people aged over 65, and the release of two new “ground-breaking” vaccines.

Announcing the new policy, the Minister for Aged Care Ken Wyatt highlighted the deaths of 18 elderly residents in two aged care homes last year.

“When I consider there are 360,000 senior Australians within aged care facilities, then the compulsory vaccination program is important to prevent the type of challenge we faced last year with both Strathdevon in Tasmania, and Wangaratta, where we lost 18 loved ones who were important to their families, because the disease control standard was not met,” he said.

“Infection control was further compromised as dozens of staff were struck down with the flu, compounding a deadly situation.”

The new policy was welcomed by aged care providers.