Brendan Simpkins and Jack Hudson

SOUTH Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine program reached another milestone on Monday, with the Elizabeth vaccination hub finally opening.

The hub, based at the Playford Civic Centre, was first announced more than a month ago and is the fourth mass vaccination clinic in the state.

It will offer both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines to those eligible under phase 1a, 1b and 2a of the Federal Government’s rollout program.

There are 24 vaccination chairs in the hub, which is open seven days a week, from 8.30am to 3.30pm.

Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) director of nursing operation Andrew McGill said nearly 300 bookings had been made for the hub’s first day of operation.

Online bookings opened on May 19 through SA Health’s website.

“We are dedicated to playing our part in delivering COVID-19 vaccinations to people in the northern community in a safe and efficient way,” Mr McGill said.

“To date, NALHN has already delivered more than 9300 vaccinations as part of the healthcare worker program.

“Bringing together the teams who have been providing the Lyell McEwin Hospital and Modbury Hospital vaccination clinics, the Elizabeth clinic will have approximately 70 NALHN staff working at the Elizabeth site during any one shift.

“This will include nurses, pharmacists, administration and security staff.”

More than 2300 appointments are to be offered during the hub’s first week, and that is expected to increase to 5700 from week two.

Access to the hub is from the southern entrance of the Civic Centre. Two hours’ free parking at the Windsor carpark is being made available to patients.

Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty said council was “proud” the hub was based at the Civic Centre, and encouraged the community to “roll up their sleeves, book their appointment and get their COVID-19 vaccinations”.

“Over a number of months, we’ve been working with SA Health in making sure we have a suitable venue and there is no better venue in the north than the Playford Civic Centre for this,” he said.

“Playford Council see it as our role in helping to assist the community in its battle against COVID-19 to make sure we have safe and accessible vaccination clinics close to home.

“It’s great to have many of the Lyell McEwin staff out here at the Playford Civic Centre undertaking the vaccinations. They are truly world-class health care professionals and I’m really proud to have them here in Playford.”

The Elizabeth hub is also the only mass vaccination hub in the state to have dedicated rooms for Indigenous patients.

There are two designated cubicles for Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines, and Aboriginal patients will also be provided with transport if necessary. Upon arrival, they will be greeted by an Aboriginal health practitioner.

Aboriginal health practitioner Tinarra Toohey said she hoped for a significant uptake in doses administered because of the dedicated facilities.

“Whether you are a clinician or a community member, it is really important to protect our families and our community, so we have got a strong message to get vaccinated,” she said.

Last week, SA’s vaccine program expanded to include people 16 and above who live in the regions, with Gawlerites included.

In what was described as a “nation-leading move”, those eligible could book an appointment through a regional vaccination clinic.

The local council areas included in the rollout were Gawler, Barossa, Light and the Adelaide Plains.

The closest vaccination clinic to Gawler is Tanunda Hospital, which does not require a referral for patients to make a booking. Patients will be administered with the Pfizer vaccine, with bookings made through SA Health’s website.

Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network (LHN) chief executive Rebecca Graham said more than 340 vaccinations had been administerd at Tanunda so far, and more than 1000 across the LHN.

“All of our aged-care residents consenting to vaccination have received one, and our vaccination numbers will further bolster as we scale up our vaccine rollout,” she said.

“We already have 420 people booked in next week at the Tanunda vaccine clinic, which is a good sign that people are rolling up their sleeves to get vaccinated. Expanding the rollout to regional residents aged 16 years and above will help us to further protect ourselves, our loved ones and our community.”

From next Tuesday, bookings at the Tanunda vaccination clinic will be open until the end of October.