How we’re supporting children, young people and carers during COVID-19

Vaccination update

Life Without Barriers supports vaccination as an important way to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our community. As such, we encourage foster and kinship carers to provide support and consent (where applicable) for the children in their care to be vaccinated.

All children aged 5 years and over are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, with the Pfizer vaccine approved and recommended for all ages. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has also recommended that young people aged 16 years and over receive a booster vaccination, when eligible, to maximise protection against becoming seriously unwell from COVID-19.

As the rules regarding who has authority to consent to children and young people in care being vaccinated vary across states, please contact your Life Without Barriers case manager if you are uncertain.  

To find a vaccination clinic near you, click here. Please also advise your case manager when the child or young person in your care receives their vaccination.

To help you prepare for the upcoming vaccination, we encourage you to read the following information and resources from the Department of Health:

• COVID-19 vaccination – Information and consent form for parents and guardians of children aged 5 to 11 years

Update for Residential Care Services

Vaccination update

Life Without Barriers supports vaccination as an important way to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our community. Vaccination can save lives and higher vaccination rates can make outbreaks much less likely.

All children aged 5 years and over are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, with the Pfizer vaccine approved and recommended for all ages. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has also recommended that young people aged 16 years and over receive a booster vaccination, when eligible, to maximise protection against becoming seriously unwell from COVID-19.

The Department of Health provides information about the benefits of a booster dose and the eligibility criteria, which is available here. To find a vaccination clinic near you, click here.

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, Life Without Barriers priority remains the safety and wellbeing of everyone, including the people we support and their families. We are introducing vaccination as a condition of employment and we are supporting our staff to be fully vaccinated.

All staff are also continuing to follow COVID-19 safe measures, including regular hand washing, maintaining physical distance (where possible), following strict cleaning and infection control procedures and wearing the masks, gloves, eye protection and gowns (where necessary).

If you have any questions about our response to COVID-19, please contact your local support team.