VACCHO was excited to announce the launch of two ACCHO COVID-19 vaccine vans on Friday, October 1, to make the jab more readily available to First Nations community members who had difficulties accessing the vaccine.
The City of Greater Shepparton and Latrobe Valley are top priorities, with vans set to visit in coming days.
VACCHO chief executive officer Jill Gallagher said the vans would support member organisations, such as Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative.
“Building on the hard work of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations across the state, the vans will boost support of COVID-19 vaccine delivery to community members during regional residencies across Victoria over the coming weeks and months,” Ms Gallagher said.
“VACCHO and our member organisations understand that getting access to the vaccine has also been a hurdle for some members of our community, and we believe the rollout of dedicated vaccine vans will play an important part in taking the vaccine to community members who have struggled to gain access.”
Ms Gallagher said the vaccination vans aimed to remove barriers to accessing COVID-19 vaccinations, such as geographical distance and access to transport.
With record-high COVID-19 case numbers being recorded across Victoria this week, VACCHO believes the dedicated vans will play an important role in improving vaccination rates of the First Nations community across the country.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander vaccination rates in Shepparton are below average, with 28.37 per cent fully vaccinated, and 56.62 per cent partially vaccinated.
“Recent outbreaks across Victoria combined with plans to reopen the state means that there is an urgent need for our community to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” Ms Gallagher said.
“We must be mindful of the fact that risk factors for COVID-19 are disproportionately higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people due to a combination of factors including pre-existing health concerns, pressing mental health and wellbeing issues, and people living in overcrowded or transient accommodation.”
Information on the regional vaccine van visits schedule will become available online at vaccho.org.au and facebook.com/VACCHO.
