A host of new sites will start administering COVID-19 vaccines to frontline healthcare heroes today amid the largest scale-up of the rollout program to date.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said it was expected more than 150 frontline healthcare workers, including paramedics, would receive COVID-19 vaccinations today as clinics open at Oakden Ambulance Station, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Port Pirie Hospital, Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service and a second clinic at the Women's and Children's Hospital.
"We continue to make strong progress on our rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is the state's largest ever peacetime operation
"Opening five new clinics in one day is a milestone day, putting us in good stead to escalate the vaccination of frontline healthcare staff and quarantine and border workers," Minister Wade said.
"Given the scale and complexity of the operation in front of us, it is great news that we now have more than ten vaccination clinics online throughout our State to administer this important protection to those most at risk of contracting COVID-19.
"In line with the Commonwealth Government's Phase 1a, SA Health clinics have provided 4,274 doses to medi-hotel and airport staff, and frontline healthcare workers, including workers at testing clinics and Emergency Departments.
"The Marshall Liberal Government remains steadfastly focussed on ensuring every South Australian is offered a COVID-19 vaccination by the end of the year."
SA Ambulance Service (SAAS), Executive Director Operations – Country, Julia Waddington-Powell said today was a positive step in making sure our ambulance workers and volunteers are protected and in doing so, reducing the likelihood of contracting the virus or passing it on to their patients and loved ones.
"It's likely that COVID-19 is here to stay but vaccinations are a major step to get us back toward normal," Mrs Waddington-Powell said.
"We had the privilege of vaccinating our most at-risk staff in February – those who frequent medi-hotels, airport transfers and MedSTAR crews formed part of the initial priority group.
"Front-line workers are some of the most at risk of potential exposure and we look forward to progressively vaccinating our crews at sites across the State in the coming weeks."
SA Ambulance Service (SAAS), Paramedic, Andrew Martin said he was proud to be doing his part to manage the spread of COVID-19, so that his fellow front-line colleagues and community can stay safe.
"The past year has been a scary time for frontline workers – I want to feel confident that I am not exposing my family, patients, or myself to coronavirus, so being part of this early rollout is very exciting," Mr Martin said.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital vaccination clinic will open today to start administering the vaccine to healthcare workers at the western suburbs' hospital.
Central Adelaide Local Health Network Executive Director of Nursing and Patient Experience Rebecca Badcock said about 50 frontline staff at TQEH are expected to receive the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on the first day.
Yorke and Northern COVID-19 Vaccination Program Lead, Mikell Afford, said vaccinations would also begin for frontline staff throughout the Local Health Network this week.
"This is a significant milestone for our region as we step up to play our part in delivering this vaccine to frontline healthcare workers, aged care residents and then when the time comes, the wider community," Ms Afford said.
"We will start vaccinating emergency department, COVID-19 testing clinic, South Australian Ambulance Service, SA Pathology, radiology staff, along with General Practitioners and residents of Hammil House and Laura Hospital Aged Care this week, and we expect to open more clinics across our region as the rollout continues."
Executive Director of Medical Services Limestone Coast Local Health Network, Dr Elaine Pretorius said receiving the vaccination was another important step to protect healthcare workers against COVID-19, with 65 staff booked for the first day of the roll out in Mount Gambier.
"I am excited to roll up my sleeve today to receive my COVID-19 vaccination alongside my fellow frontline healthcare workers from across the Limestone Coast Local Health Network," Dr Pretorius said.
"I know how important it is to vaccinate against a disease like COVID-19 and the rollout of this vaccine is just another way we as healthcare workers can protect ourselves, our loved ones and those most vulnerable to COVID-19.
"I'm proud the rollout is now underway at our hospital and know our staff are looking forward to playing their part in getting this safe and effective vaccine out to their peers and the wider community as we move through each phase of the rollout."
A new, additional clinic is also open at the Women's and Children's Hospital today. This clinic will administer the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to frontline staff.
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout throughout South Australia will be undertaken in line with the Commonwealth Government's Vaccine Roadmap.
Find out more about COVID-19 vaccinations at covidvaccine.sa.gov.au.
