The Marshall Liberal Government's rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine continues with South Australia's third clinic opening its doors at the Women's and Children's Hospital amid the expected arrival of 20,000 vaccines tomorrow.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH) vaccine clinic was now providing doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to frontline healthcare workers, alongside clinics at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre.
"We have begun the rollout of the state's biggest ever peacetime operation. 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 over the course of 2021," Minister Wade said.
"We are excited the vaccine is starting to roll out more broadly so we can protect even more frontline workers, before the program then expands to more priority groups and eventually, all South Australians.
"In line with the Commonwealth Government's Phase 1a, SA Health clinics have already provided almost 2,000 doses in the first week of the vaccine rollout to medi-hotel and airport staff, and frontline healthcare workers, including workers at testing clinics and Emergency Departments.
"This is in addition to our initial delivery of 4,000 doses last week and comes as the Marshall Liberal Government announces it has secured an additional 20,000 Astra-Zeneca vaccines that are expected to arrive from the Federal Government tomorrow.
"We are pleased with the vaccine rollout so far and want to assure South Australians that the vaccines are completely safe and approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration."
The Lyell McEwin Hospital received South Australia's third COVID-19 vaccine freezer yesterday, which can store up to 280,000 vaccine doses.
The vaccine hub at the Lyell McEwin Hospital along with hubs at the Riverland General Hospital in Berri, Mount Gambier Hospital, Whyalla Hospital, Port Pirie Hospital and Port Augusta Hospital are expected to come online as the program continues while vaccine clinics will be established across the state throughout each phase of the rollout.
Chief Executive Officer of the Women's and Children's Health Network (WCHN), Lindsey Gough, said staff throughout were excited to begin the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination program at the Women's and Children's Hospital.
"As South Australia's primary hospital and testing site for women, babies, children and young people, our staff have played a pivotal role in the fight against COVID-19," Ms Gough said.
"We've had a huge amount of interest already from staff wanting to be involved in the vaccine rollout and we are determined to play our part in delivering these vaccines in a safe and efficient way."
The COVID-19 vaccination workforce, including administrative staff, are required to undertake training and induction programs to support the rapid upskilling and surge capacity requirements of the rollout.
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout across South Australia will be undertaken in line with the Commonwealth Government's Vaccine Roadmap.
Find out more about COVID-19 vaccinations at www.covid-19.sa.gov.au
