World Health Day: COVID-19

Purple 7 Apr 2021
2 mins

“Building a fairer and healthier world for everyone is the focus of World Health Day – celebrated yesterday. Founded in 1948 by the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2021 the WHO is calling on leaders to ensure that everyone has living and working conditions that are conducive to good health. 

Access to health

For this year, WHO notes the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that some people are able to live healthier lives and have better access to health services than others – entirely due to the conditions in which they are born, grow, live, work and age.  

Australia’s health system

The WHO has identified Australia as one of the most wellprepared health systems in the world, according to a 2018 evaluation report on Australian disaster preparedness. 

And thanks to our successful suppression of the spread of the virus in our community, Australia is in the incredibly fortunate position to be able to look and learn from the vaccine rollouts taking place around the world. 

Vaccine rollout

One of our clients, the WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA),  is assisting in the coordination, planning and delivery of the vaccine rollout, including in residential aged care facilities.

We recently helped turn the spotlight on the kick off of Australia’s biggest ever national immunisation program at Aegis Aged Care Group’s Kingsley facility.  

Aegis Aged Care Group resident, Patricia receiving the COVID vaccine.

Aged care residents are a priority group as part of  Phase 1a of the national rollout, along with aged care staff, disability care residents and staff, frontline healthcare workers, and quarantine and border staff. 

 WAPHA is working hard to ensure general practices and primary care providers can access up-to-date, locally relevant information about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

WA Primary Health Alliance General Manager Primary Care Innovation and Development, Bernadette Kenny said she and her team were excited to support the vaccine rollout in WA. 

“Our team has worked with the Australian Government Department of Health, residential aged care facilities and the vaccine workforce provider to carry out what is a highly complex logistical exercise in a very short timeframe,” Ms Kenny said. 

“This is a fabulous achievement and one all involved should be proud of. I look forward to seeing the remaining residential aged care residents receive their vaccinations in the coming weeks.” 

Find out more about what WA Primary Health Alliance is doing to support general practice, residential aged care, its funded service providers and the community in response to COVID-19. 

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Jean is a communications specialist with more than 20 years’ experience.

Jean has previously specialised in health as a journalist, as an adviser to the WA government and in public relations roles in Perth, Sydney and London.

Contact Jean here.

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