The ACT Government is continuing to work with the Aboriginal community-controlled sector to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the impacts of the current COVID-19 outbreak.
On Wednesday 3 November, ACT Health will join community partners to host the second Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Forum to discuss the outbreak and how we can continue to work together to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith acknowledged the impact of COVID‑19 on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
“There have now been 197 cases in the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community during this outbreak,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“We are working with community partners, including Winnunga Nimmityjah, Gugan Gulwan and Yeddung Mura to enable culturally responsive support for the community.
“ACT Health is providing specific support to the community through culturally safe pop-up vaccination clinics and in-reach testing. There have also been targeted communication activities encouraging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to get vaccinated.
“We know that this outbreak has been hard and that being in lockdown or quarantine affects us all differently. Financial, social and emotional wellbeing support is available, and I encourage anyone in a difficult situation for reach out to ACT Health or their trusted community-controlled organisation.”
CEO of Winnunga Nimmityjah, Julie Tongs said that 11% of cases in the ACT during this outbreak have identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and 151 or 77% of these were unfortunately unvaccinated, with 63 of these being under 12 years old and therefore not yet eligible.
“Winnunga is working hard to provide every opportunity possible to support our people to have access to a culturally safe vaccination process. We no longer require appointments for vaccination and you can just come in to Winnunga whenever you can.
“Getting our mob vaccinated is now the most important thing we can do to protect our families and community. Remember that vaccination prevents serious illness related to COVID-19.”
For all information regarding COVID-19 in the ACT, and support specific to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community please visit www.covid19.act.gov.au/services-and-support/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples
This includes a video featuring well known Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People from across the ACT highlighting the importance of getting vaccinated.
