Utter nonsense!: Adelaide Hills and Victor Harbor vaccination hubs exclude the over fifties

2 Jun 2021

After lobbying the State Government for vaccine hubs for the Adelaide Hills and South Coast it has come to light that residents over the age of 50 seeking the jab are currently being turned away.

Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has met with Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt today to urgently advocate for all residents in Mayo to be able to access the vaccine – not just residents under the age of fifty.

“The decision to exclude anyone over fifty from accessing the COVID jab at the State Government operated vaccination hubs at Mount Barker and Victor Harbor is nonsensical. Today I met with Minister Greg Hunt to ask for this oversight to be fixed urgently.” Rebekha said.

“Many Mayo residents have been turned away from the vaccination hubs because they are only vaccinating with the Pfizer vaccine and only administering that vaccine to residents under 50. With many local GP clinics prioritising their existing patients, many older residents are missing out if their local GP is not part of the Federal GP program”. Rebekha said.

“My office is being inundated with calls from people who can’t get their first dose despite weeks or months of trying. One resident in her 90s was told to drive a 90km round trip to Murray Bridge or miss out. Rebekha said.

“My office has been told many shocking stories from older residents who have been turned away. Given that older Australians are repeatedly told that they are at the greatest risk should they contract COVID-19, surely the hubs should be available to them and they should be at the front of the queue!” Rebekha said.

“We know there is a serious COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria and many of our oldest, most vulnerable residents who have the poorest access to medical assistance have not even received their first dose of the vaccine and they are deeply concerned” Rebekha said.

“To me the solution is simple - Mayo vaccine hubs should offer BOTH the Pfizer and Astra Zeneca, to ensure nobody gets turned away – This is what I advocated to the Minister. Let’s hope that common sense prevails and the Federal and State Governments work together to fix this matter urgently.” Rebekha said.

The electorate of Mayo has the oldest demographic in South Australia, with 60 percent of residents of the South Coast aged over 50.

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