THE Riverland will be one of just five locations in regional South Australia to host a COVID-19 vaccination hub when the first phase of the Federal Government’s vaccine rollout begins.
The hub, which will be located at the Riverland General Hospital in Berri, will be one of nine across the state to receive vaccines as part of phase 1A of the national rollout strategy, providing doses for border workers, frontline healthcare workers, aged-care and disability staff and residents.
Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone said the vaccination was an important step in the defence against COVID-19 and “vital” in returning to a “COVID-19 normal”.
“I am pleased there will be a vaccination hub located in the region for locals to access the vaccine and to protect themselves and our community,” he said.
“We are implementing the vaccination program for those that are at most risk and the first phase will provide vaccines to key frontline healthcare, quarantine and border workers.
“Getting our local frontlines workers vaccinated as soon as possible will protect the health of those vaccinated, as well as their families and the whole community.
“I understand that everyone has different circumstances but it’s important that we as a community get behind this vaccine.
“My priority is to make sure that the vaccine can be administered to people in the Riverland and Mallee as quickly and safely as possible.
“I am extremely proud of how the Riverland community has united against the pandemic and supported each other, and I think we will see the community continue to work together to keep the region safe.”
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the Federal Government would supply the hubs with COVID-19 vaccines.
“We are about to embark on the state’s biggest ever peacetime operation,” he said.
“Given the scale and complexity of the operation in front of us, we know that there will be road bumps, but we are determined to ensure the safe, efficient and timely delivery of vaccines in a prioritised manner.”
The State Government is yet to provide a timeline for when the Riverland hub will begin administering the vaccine.
“(The Federal Government’s) current advice on supply schedules means that the primary hub at the Royal Adelaide Hospital will open first when the vaccination supplies first arrives into South Australia and be the only hub open initially,” Mr Wade said.
“The remaining sites will be opened as further supplies arrive in South Australia.
“Further planning is well under way for the rollout of the vaccine to the wider community, and we’ll continue to work with the Commonwealth to finalise those details.”
Opposition health spokesperson Chris Picton urged the State Government to have more than one hub running when vaccinations begin.
“If other states will have multiple sites ready to go from day one, surely we can do the same here in South Australia?” he said.
“We are already behind the other states when it comes to announcing our sites, and nobody wants South Australia to fall behind when it comes to vaccination rates.”
Riverlanders will also have greater access to primary healthcare services as the state’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout begins, with the state’s newest general practitioners commencing vocational training in clinics over the next week.
Six new registrars will start their training in Barmera, Loxton, Waikerie and Renmark through regional training organisation GPEx.
GPEx CEO Stephanie Clota said this year’s GP registrars were expected to play a key role in South Australia’s rollout of the coronavirus vaccine.
“GPEx registrars account for around one-quarter of South Australia’s rural medical workforce, so this vaccine support will be particularly critical in regional and remote locations,” she said.
Deputy chief public health officer Emily Kirkpatrick said the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be administered in the initial rollout, following provisional approval through the Commonwealth’s robust process.
“The COVID-19 vaccination rollout will be complex and vastly different from how vaccination programs are normally administered, ensuring the vaccine is available for every South Australian,” she said.