Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS), the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), Australian Medical Assistance Teams, the NSW Government, the National Indigenous Australians Agency and the Department of Health are working together in response to this outbreak.
More than 10,000 vaccine doses have been delivered to the RFDS in western NSW to support the region. Many clinics are working tirelessly to put as many jabs in arms as they can. One clinic in Wellington, central NSW, delivered almost 430 doses in its first two days of operation.
Community leaders from affected areas are also doing everything they can to help keep their communities safe. Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta and Barkindji woman and Dubbo community leader, Tatum Moore has filmed a community announcement. She encourages everyone to stay home, get tested and vaccinate.
Mandy Debenham, a proud Aboriginal nurse living on Wiradjuri country in Bathurst has also filmed a video to remind communities that everyone is at risk, from Elders to kids. In her video Mandy said: 'The vaccine could save you from getting sick from COVID‑19.'
Adam Goodes, Adnyamathanha and Narungga man, Australian rules football player and 2014 Australian of the Year has also done his bit for his community. Watch and share a video of Adam explaining why he chose to get the COVID-19 vaccine and the importance of understanding the risks of COVID-19.
Nationally in the past week, almost 50 ACCHS have received increased vaccine doses, making an extra 8000 doses available through these services. It is great to see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people all over the country stepping forward to get their vaccinations, doing what they can to protect their communities.
Across Australia, more than 200,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have received at least one dose, and more than 100,000 have had both doses.