SA Health has announced it is to trial a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for Adelaide’s homeless people.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Stephen Wade said that as part of the Department’s outreach program a mobile team would deliver the vaccine to vulnerable people who received homelessness services at Baptist Care SA.
Mr Wade said staff members from Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) and SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) would use a decommissioned SAAS vehicle to transport and administer the COVID-19 vaccines.
He said the trial was part of a program being developed through a partnership between SA Health and the SA Homelessness Alliances.
Mr Wade said the five Alliances were established on 1 July this year to service the complex and evolving needs of clients experiencing or at risk of homelessness across the State.
Executive Lead for COVID-19 at CALHN, Rachael Kay said the trial marked the first stage of the outreach program.
“This outreach will be provided through the Wayville clinic team and will deliver an easy way for vulnerable South Australians to access the vaccine,” Ms Kay said.
COVID-19 Incident Commander at SAAS, Chris Howie said homeless people often faced barriers in accessing health care and required more accessible options.
“A mobile service is a positive solution that not only protects vulnerable members of our community from COVID-19 but also others in South Australia – including paramedics and other healthcare workers,” Mr Howie said.
Chief Executive of Baptist Care SA, Graham Brown said he was pleased to be working with SA Health to ensure that vulnerable people in the Adelaide CBD did not miss out on COVID-19 vaccinations.
