South Australian cultural leaders are encouraging the community to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated ahead of the state’s borders opening on November 23.
A pop-up vaccination clinic is being run at today’s Multicultural Festival, offering the Pfizer vaccine to anyone 12 years or older, providing even more opportunity for South Australians to roll up and get vaccinated.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said with vaccination rates climbing across the state, the Marshall Liberal Government is focusing its efforts on boosting vaccine numbers amongst regions and communities with lower uptake.
“South Australians are heeding the call to roll up and get vaccinated against COVID-19, with almost 85 percent of the population now having had their first dose of the lifesaving vaccine,” said Minister Wade.
“Vaccination rates of 80% and then 90% are key milestones on our COVID-Ready Roadmap to open our borders and ease restrictions – but we don’t want to stop there; we want to push as far as we can into the 90s. The higher the level of vaccination, the safer we all are.
“Our mass vaccination clinics have thousands of appointments available and allow people to just walk in. Our pop-up vaccination clinics and fleet of mobile vaccination vans are strengthening our outreach to reach pockets of the community with lower vaccination rates by bringing the vaccine to them.
“From day one of the vaccination program, we have worked to both drive up statewide vaccination rates, but also promote strong vaccination rates across geographical and cultural cohorts. We are all in this together.
“South Australia is a vibrant, culturally diverse state. We are making sure every South Australian has the opportunity to get the information they need to understand the need for vaccination, the safety and effectiveness of vaccination, whatever their age, background or language.
“Cultural leaders across the state have stepped up through the vaccination rollout to work with the Government to drive up vaccination rates. The strong and successful partnership between multicultural communities and SA Health will be intensified in coming weeks, particularly through outreach programs such as pop-up vaccination clinics.
“SA Health has held a series of community sessions with multicultural community members and leaders to provide vital information about COVID-19 vaccination and answer any questions their communities may have.
“There has never been an easier time for any South Australian to roll up their sleeve and get vaccinated to protect themselves, their loved ones and the community against COVID-19.
“Every jab gets us closer to fully vaccinating 90 percent of our community aged 12 and over, which will see even further easing of restrictions throughout the state and will provide a massive boost to our economy.”
Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said now was the time to get vaccinated.
“With our borders set to open in just over a week, it is more critical than ever to be vaccinated against COVID-19,” said Professor Spurrier.
“Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to protect you, your loved ones and the community and the benefits far outweigh any of the potential very rare side effects.
“Providing easy accessibility to the COVID-19 vaccine has been one of our highest priorities, which is why we continue to provide our CALD communities with opportunities, like today, to get their COVID-19 vaccine.”
The Multicultural Festival pop-up vaccination clinic is operating opposite the main entrance to the Festival in Victoria Square from 10am to 5pm, offering walk-in vaccinations only.
To find out more about COVID-19 vaccinations visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/covidvaccine.
