On Monday, the clinic vaccinated 53 staff and community members. There are now 123 Njernda clients who are fully vaccinated and a further 119 have had their first dose.
Njernda acting health services manager Kelli Bartlett said staff had been trained and supplies of Pfizer were available to allow Njernda’s vaccination campaign to be extended more widely.
“We’ve had much stronger interest from the community in the past few days, because of what’s happening elsewhere in Victoria and NSW, so getting started on the Pfizer rollout is very timely,” she said.
“We’ve been happy with the take-up of the AstraZeneca vaccine, but there’s no doubt some community members were keen to wait for the Pfizer — it’s here now, and available, so it’s time for Mob to step up.”
{image:865175865}Aunty Debra Cowley receives her COVID-19 jab at Njernda's vaccine clinic. Photo: Gail Kerr.
Ms Bartlett said she was confident there was now a stronger understanding in the local community about the need for as many people as possible to be vaccinated.
“Most people can receive the vaccine and have very few side-effects — and they’re keen to step up for the good of everyone,” she said.
“We need as many of our Mob as possible to be immunised so that everyone is protected, especially the very few people who can’t be vaccinated because of their own health situation.”
All community members over 16 years of age and members of their immediate household can now access the COVID-19 vaccine at Njernda, but appointments are required, Ms Bartlett said.
“The events of the past two weeks have been a bit of a wakeup call to everyone, that if we do want Mob to be safe, and we want things to return to ‘normal’, then we all need to do our bit — it’s up to us,” she said.
“We have worked closely with government to ensure our Mob has access to COVID-19 vaccinations across a very broad age range because every person who is vaccinated is helping to protect the health of their family, friends and community.
{image:865175863}Uncle Henry King. Photo: Kelli Bartlett.
“It’s important to do your bit, and it’s important to encourage your family, Elders and community to get vaccinated. If they’re reluctant, encourage them to talk to their doctor about it.
“We are doing everything we can to make vaccinations accessible to everyone to protect against COVID-19, but in the end, everyone needs to make their own decision and to do their bit.”
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to phone Njernda on (03) 5480 6252 to make an appointment for their COVID-19 vaccination, or to discuss any queries they may have about COVID-19 vaccines.
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