While over 70% of West Australians 16 years and over have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, Indigenous West Australians are lagging far behind.
As of the 16th of November, council areas such as Greater Geraldton (29.8%), Carnarvon (28.2%), Mount Magnet (41.9%), Meekatharra (37.8%) have low numbers of First Nations people being fully vaccinated.
‘Keeping Culture Safe and Strong’ is an Indigenous people focused vaccination program that started on Monday the 22nd of November.
During the 5-week period of the program, First Nation communities will have the vaccine more readily available to you whether you live in a remote, regional or urban area. Visits to people’s homes, hospitals and hospital services are part of the program. This means that people who are in hospital or whom access these services will be able to get the vaccine.
Chris Dawson, Vaccine Commander, is overseeing the program and First Nations advisers have been part of the unrolling of the program.
Don’t forget, you can drop in to a community clinic to get your jab—that means you don’t need an appointment.
To get vaccinated and to protect yourself, your family and community you can enquire at the following services or do a search in the link or go to your local doctor or pharmacy:
Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (GRAMS)
60 Rifle Range Road Rangeway
Geraldton
99566555
Carnarvon Gascoyne Outreach Service
Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm
14-16 Rushton Street Carnarvon, WA 6701
99472200
Murchison Outreach Service
Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm
56 Attwood Street, Mount Magnet, WA, 6638
99403222
Ngangganawili Aboriginal Health Service
Wiluna
9981 8600
WA Country Health Service Book online at vaccinate.health.wa.gov.au
Your local GP clinic or pharmacy
Press release: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/keeping-culture-safe-and-strong-vaccination-focus