A motorhome decked out as a vaccination clinic is visiting remote Indigenous communities on the Eyre Peninsula to boost immunisation rates ahead of South Australia's borders reopening to eastern states.
There are serious concerns for Aboriginal communities in Port Lincoln and Ceduna, where only 34 and 36 per cent of residents, respectively, are fully vaccinated.
"What we've had to witness in Wilcannia and now Katherine is absolutely heartbreaking," Yadu Health practice manager Jacinta Smith said.
With first dose rates sitting at less than 50 per cent, the motorhome is allowing the service to follow up with locals due for their second jab.
"We respect that some people don't want to come into the clinic, so we will go to them," Yadu Health chief executive Zell Dodd said.
The mobile clinic, donated by the Primary Health Network, has two registered nurses on board and will visit public places like the Red Cross and supermarkets in Ceduna, Koonibba and Scotdesco.
In addition to a stock of the Pfizer vaccine, the van is also equipped to provide medical check-ups.
Yadu Health has also partnered with the Ceduna Aboriginal Corporation and the Medical Rescue Group to offer walk-in vaccinations on a daily basis.
Myths and misinformation
Ms Smith said the team had arranged community meetings to address fears about getting vaccinated.
"Some of those conspiracies we heard in the community were that Aboriginal people didn't get COVID-19," she said.
Ms Smith said after one meeting 11 people got the jab.
"From that information session, our community members went away and came back the following week to get the Pfizer vaccination," she said.
She said staff took notes during the meeting and reached out later on to clients who did not want to discuss their concerns openly.
