26 September 2023

New program to boost Aboriginal vaccination

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The Department of Health has shifted its vaccination focus to Keeping Culture Safe and Strong, launched to provide more opportunities for Aboriginal people to get vaccinated.

In a statement, the Department said a range of intensified in-reach programs based on bringing the vaccine directly to communities would be used as part of the vaccination focus.

“The Keeping Culture Safe and Strong vaccination focus will cover the entire State, from urban to regional to remote communities, in an effort to support the Commonwealth Government’s roll-out of the vaccine,” it said.

“The focus will be community-led as local leaders such as health staff, the local police, Councils and Shires, and Aboriginal-led organisations will be yarning to community members and helping them to access a vaccination.”

The Department said this level of community engagement, which had been trialled and used already, had led to the development of innovative strategies expected to be used during the five-week focus.

It said these included house-to-house visits and vaccinations for hospital inpatients and outpatients to provide greater convenience and confidence to Aboriginal people and communities.

Minister for Health, Roger Cook said the Government had a responsibility to protect and safeguard Aboriginal people and communities.

“The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is free and safe for everybody aged 12 and over, so if you’re offered a vaccination, I would strongly urge Aboriginal people, along with all the community, to get the needle while you can,” Mr Cook said.

He said, currently, vaccination rates for Aboriginal communities in Western Australia were less than 50 per cent of the eligible population 12 and over having received their first jab.

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