A trial program will seek to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to South Australia’s homeless.
The vaccine will be provided by a mobile team, initially to those people accessing assistance from Baptist Care SA in Adelaide.
“The COVID-19 vaccination program is our doorway out of the pandemic, and the government is working hard to give every South Australian access,” Health Minister Stephen Wade said.
“We are committed to protecting all South Australians, especially our most vulnerable citizens, from the effects of COVID-19.”
Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) and SA Ambulance Service staff members will use a decommissioned ambulance to transport and administer the vaccines to those at the Baptist Care SA’s WestCare Centre.
The trial is part of a wider program being developed through a partnership between SA Health and groups supporting SA’s homeless community.
CALHN executive lead for COVID-19 Rachael Kay said the trial marked the first stage of the outreach program.
“People experiencing homelessness may not be able to attend a clinic to receive their COVID-19 vaccine, so we are looking at what we can do to help get the vaccine to them,” Ms Kay said.
By Tim Dornin in Adelaide; AAP
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