Nine vaccination hubs will be established throughout metropolitan and regional areas of the State as the Marshall Liberal Government prepares for the next step in the fight against COVID-19.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre, Lyell McEwin Hospital and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital will be the major metropolitan COVID-19 vaccination hubs during the rollout of the first phase of the vaccine.
“We are about to embark on the state’s biggest ever peacetime operation. Given the scale and complexity of the operation in front of us, we know that there will be road bumps, but we are determined to ensure the safe, efficient and timely delivery of vaccines in a prioritised manner,” Minister Wade said.
The nine sites will be used to vaccinate key frontline health care workers, quarantine and border workers and residential aged care and disability staff as part of Phase 1a of the rollout.
“The major metropolitan hospitals along with some of our bigger regional hospitals will be used as vaccination hubs,” Minister Wade said.
“The Commonwealth Government is supplying the vaccines to the clinics. Their current advice on supply schedules means that the primary hub at the Royal Adelaide Hospital will open first when the vaccination supplies first arrives into South Australia and be the only hub open initially. The remaining sites will be opened as further supplies arrive in South Australia.
“Further planning is well underway for the roll out of the vaccine to the wider community, and we’ll continue to work with the Commonwealth to finalise those details.”
The regional vaccination hubs will be located at the Riverland General Hospital in Berri, Mount Gambier Hospital, Whyalla Hospital, Pt Pirie Hospital, and Pt Augusta Hospital.
The hubs are key sites for the initial implementation of the vaccine program. Additional clinics will be established around the State in future stages of the vaccination roll out.
Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Emily Kirkpatrick said the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be administered in the initial roll out, following provisional approval through the Commonwealth’s robust process.
“Any COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Australia must pass the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s assessment and approval processes to ensure it is effective and safe,” Dr Kirkpatrick said.
“The COVID-19 vaccination roll out will be complex and vastly different from how vaccination programs are normally administered, ensuring the vaccine is available for every South Australian.
“The vaccination provided in phase 1A of the roll out is being prioritised for those who are most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19, or who have the highest risk of being exposed to, or spreading, the virus.
“By locating vaccination hubs across the metropolitan and regional areas, we are making it easier for people who meet the criteria to access the vaccination in a safe and timely manner.”
Vaccination Hubs:
- Royal Adelaide Hospital
- Flinders Medical Centre
- Lyell McEwin Hospital
- Women’s and Children’s Hospital
- Riverland General Hospital in Berri
- Mount Gambier Hospital
- Whyalla Hospital
- Pt Pirie Hospital
- Pt Augusta Hospital
For more information go to: www.covid-19.sa.gov.au
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