4/06/2021
Mallee Mobs urged to vaccinate
“IF you don’t do it for yourself, do it for your community.”
That’s the COVID-19 vaccination message from Mallee District Aboriginal Services’ (MDAS’) Acting Clinical Coordinator Alex McWilliam, who is organizing the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines to the local Aboriginal community.
“The sooner more people are vaccinated, the sooner we can get life back to normal,” Alex said.
His comments come as regional Victoria emerges from a snap seven-day COVID-19 lockdown, which helped generate an increase in the number of people seeking the COVID-19 vaccine at MDAS medical clinics.
“The lockdown certainly reminded people of the severity of COVID-19 and the importance of the vaccine,” Alex explained.
Prior to the latest lockdown, MDAS health services in Mildura was providing one COVID-19 vaccination clinic each week to meet demand. This has since risen to up to three clinics per week, ensuring as many as 30 to 40 people receive the COVID-19 vaccination each week.
“We really hope to see the increased up take continue,” Alex said.
“We have already seen a lot of our local Elders be vaccinated, which is really important because it helps show others in the community the vaccination is important and safe.”
There has been some degree of “vaccination hesitation” in the local Aboriginal community, but MDAS is keen to overcome this.
“We’re encouraging everyone to ask questions, think about it, do your own research, and then come back and have the vaccination if you want to,” Alex said.
“It’s fine to make an appointment just to ask questions about the vaccination because it is really important we are all having these conversations.”
MDAS currently has a strong supply of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
People are encouraged to check their eligibility for the vaccine online at covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility and phone to make an appointment on the MDAS free-call number 1800 183 593.
Pictured: MDAS Health Services’ Stevie Bowden, Rebecca Wilson, Alex McWilliam and Dr Anand Patel are encouraging local community members to get their COVID-19 vaccine.