AS Australia began phase 1b of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout this week, the president of the Rural Doctors' Association of SA Peter Rischbieth said it was important for the community to remember that life wouldn't return to normal without the immunity offered by vaccinations.
Starting on Monday, phase 1b allows people aged over 70, all healthcare workers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, people with specific underlying medical conditions and critical and high risk workers - including those in the defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing sectors - to be vaccinated.
About 250,000 doses were made available this week, adding to the more than 280,000 vaccinations already administered. Almost 100 general practices in SA are involved in the phase 1B rollout, with 20 of those in regional areas.
Vaccinations will continue at seven SA GP-led respiratory clinics, including Murray Bridge, where Dr Rischbieth said 400 people were expected to receive their phase 1b vaccinations this week.
"There are some logistical challenges caused by the volume of vaccine distributed and still some questions about whether there will be sufficient supply, but we're hoping to increase the number of vaccinations given as supply chains become more defined," Dr Rischbieth said.
Dr Rischbieth said the vaccination process had varied across regional SA, with different clinics starting phase 1b at different times. He urged patience as the rollout progressed.
"It's about protecting ourselves and loved ones, and helping the economy and businesses," Dr Rischbieth said.
Australian Meat Industry Council chief executive officer Patrick Hutchinson said they would encourage all meat processing workers to get vaccinated and while they would not make it compulsory, they would support "any and all members in whatever policy they take to ensure widespread vaccination of workers".
Mr Hutchinson said potential site-based vaccination programs were still being discussed on a state-by-state and premises-by-premises basis.
Meat processing workers cover abattoir workers, workers in boning rooms, smallgoods manufacturers and those working in seafood processing.
Workers in independent retail butcher settings will be eligible for Phase 2a of the vaccination rollout.
Jabs begin in GP clinics
Tanunda Medical Centre was among the first regional general practices to begin administering the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine during phase 1B of the national rollout on Tuesday morning.
Practice manager Chris Jones said there were 32 bookings for Tuesday and 80 for the week, with a further 100 appointments next week.
Mr Jones said the fact they were fully booked underlined the enthusiasm of the local community to get vaccinated and the practice was only limited in how many it could administer by the volume of vaccine it could source.
Administering the first vaccination was GP Natalie Payne who said while phase 1B was restricted to over 70s and critical workers, there had also been significant enquiries from the community's younger population about when they could receive the vaccine.
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