Hunter Aboriginal Medical Service, Awabakal Ltd is providing a walk-in vaccination clinic on Wednesday, open to all members of the Cessnock community, with a focus on residents in social housing.
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With the number of COVID-19 cases growing in the region, the organisation feels there is a real urgency to increase their vaccine efforts, not just to local Aboriginal people, but to whoever they can reach.
"Our number one focus is on vaccinating our people. But we don't live in a bubble and vaccinating only Aboriginal members of the community will still leave us vulnerable," Awabakal Ltd CEO Raylene Gordon said.
"The only way we're going to keep our people safe is by also vaccinating our families, partners, neighbours, teachers, friends; whatever their background."
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Wednesday's clinic is being held at the Cessnock PCYC from 10am to 2pm. In that time the team will aim to administer 300 doses.
Each week Awabakal's Maitland clinic runs appointment-based vaccine clinics in partnership with Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council in both Metford and Cessnock.
It was through the first Cessnock clinic last week that they understood the need to increase their efforts in the area and run this additional walk-in clinic.
"The community were so thankful. They're desperate for access to more vaccines before the state starts opening up," Awabakal Maitland regional manager Debbie Massie said.
Through their four regional medical clinics (Maitland, Port Stephens, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie) Awabakal have managed to provide first doses to over 50 percent of their existing patients, 12 years or older, with regular appointment-based clinics being held each week.
Awabakal will continue to supplement their clinic-based efforts with pop-up vaccine clinics, such as the one in Cessnock on Wednesday, in order to help protect as many people as possible from the virus.
Recently their access to Pfizer vaccination doses increased, meaning they can safely plan a number of additional pop-up clinics across the region without having to worry about rationing their supply.
"It's been a big relief to know we can get a hold of more Pfizer," Ms Massie said.
"This will go a long way to helping keep our mob safe."