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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-09-08 Daily Xml
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COVID-19 Vaccination Rollout

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (14:55): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Health and Wellbeing regarding COVID-19 vaccinations.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: In reinforcing public health advice, the Premier has stated that vaccination is our pathway out of the pandemic. Constraints in supply of the vaccine doses have presented a challenge, but with the recent announcement of an additional four million doses of Pfizer being brought from the UK I understand more doses will be available to South Australia and I welcome the efforts of this government to make these doses available through a variety of clinics and locations. Will the minister update the council on the newly established and expanded vaccination clinics as part of the vaccination rollout in South Australia?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:56): I would like to thank the honourable member for his question. September marks a significant milestone in the national vaccination program, with much anticipated increases in supply arriving in states and territories. The commonwealth has announced that four million extra Pfizer doses are coming to Australia in the coming days, following an agreement between the Australian and United Kingdom governments.

As supplies of vaccines increase, we are pursuing innovative opportunities for people to get vaccinated conveniently and locally. On Sunday 5 September, I was pleased to launch a new pop-up clinic at level 3 of the Myer Centre in Adelaide's CBD, one of several pop-up community clinics that I expect will be open in the coming weeks. The Myer Centre clinic is conveniently located for eligible city residents and workers.

This morning, I joined the Premier at the SA Produce Market in Pooraka to announce the establishment of a vaccination clinic at that location, which will commence on Tuesday 21 September. The Pooraka clinic is strategically located in the northern suburbs as part of the government's focus on targeting areas with lower uptake of the vaccine in terms of the deployment of pop-up and mobile clinics.

The Myer Centre clinic opens on 14 September, with over 1,000 doses expected to be delivered per week. From 21 September, the Pooraka site is expected to administer 1,500 vaccines per week. At both of these pop-up clinics people can receive a vaccine at the clinic simply by walking in or they can book an appointment in advance.

I would also like to take the opportunity to clarify a statement I made yesterday in relation to second doses. Whilst SA Health does provide a call-back service for limited cohorts, it does not provide a general call-back service to the broader community. Further pop-up clinics and mobile clinics will be opening in coming weeks as the Marshall government continues to provide every opportunity for South Australians to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

We can all take pride in the fact that appointments have surged in recent weeks. Last week, more than 100,000 doses were administered in a week for the first time. The government is pleased that we are able to provide an additional 35,000 appointments at Wayville between now and mid-October. Yesterday, the expansion of the successful Wayville clinic was announced, taking the existing 42 vaccination stations up to 96. The Wayville clinic recently delivered its 200,000th dose. The doubling of the Wayville clinic's footprint allows for the creation of dedicated spaces, such as a family vaccination area and also an extra care service.

Whilst it is disappointing for many South Australians that the Royal Show was not able to proceed for a second year, the availability of the pavilion space means that we can provide more South Australians with the opportunity to be vaccinated sooner and continue our pathway to a future with fewer restrictions and fewer disruptions to much-loved events such as the Royal Show.

I thank honourable members for the part they are playing in encouraging their constituents to receive the vaccine. As members of parliament, we all have a role in reinforcing the public health messaging and supporting our communities through the pandemic. I am sure members of the council will join me in thanking SA Health staff, both the planning and logistics teams and the frontline health professionals delivering vaccine doses. These dedicated health workers have worked hard to set up these clinics and vaccinate our community.

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