Pop-up clinics help ensure COVID-19 vaccine reaches homeless

MORE than 80 people were immunised against COVID-19 last month when pop-up vaccination clinics were held at ac.care sites to ensure people experiencing or at risk of homelessness did not miss out on the statewide roll-out of the vaccine.
ac.care partnered with Country SA PHN to hold pop-up vaccination clinics at the Mount Gambier Community Centre and ac.care Berri.
Further sessions are scheduled in Mount Gambier on November 18 and Berri on November 26, plus sessions at the ac.care Murraylands Centre in Murray Bridge on November 17 and December 8, with bookings available for all dates.
While the clinics were held to support clients of ac.care’s programs, including its regional homelessness services, the service was also made available to anyone in the regions.
Staff also made use of the opportunity to ensure they were vaccinated to protect themselves, clients and the broader community ahead of the looming opening of state borders.
Visitors on the clinic days were also invited to roll up their sleeves and receive the vaccine.
ac.care homelessness and community services senior manager Trish Spark said it was one way ac.care was contributing to ensuring all South Australians, especially vulnerable people in country areas, had access to the vaccine.
“Our community spaces are places where vulnerable people feel welcome and supported after many have been affected by past trauma or discrimination and reached out for our support to build a better future,” Ms Spark said.

“We understand the importance of ensuring all sectors of the community have access to the vaccine and partnered with Country SA PHN to provide pop-up clinics in our centres so our clients could obtain the vaccine in a place where they felt safe and supported so they were not at risk of missing out on the roll-out.”

Ms Spark said this not only benefited vulnerable South Australians, but also the broader community to help in the state-wide push to lift vaccination rates as a step towards easing restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Pfizer vaccine was provided at no cost through the clinics.
Call 1300 accare (1300 222 273) for more information or to book an appointment for the upcoming vaccination clinics.