Cockburn Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraging members of their community to Roll Up for WA at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Coolbellup on Saturday 6 November.
Supported by the City of Cockburn, the walk-in clinic is focused on raising vaccination rates for local First Nation people.
City of Cockburn Family and Community Development Manager Barbara Freeman said the City had been liaising with its Aboriginal Reference Group (ARG), the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and the South Metropolitan Health Service to arrange the WA Health clinic at the Coolbellup Hub.
“This clinic is intended for First Nation people and their families only, as other community members can receive their vaccinations at many other sites.”
According to the Australian Government’s
Operation Covid Shield as at 2 November in the Perth South West metropolitan region, 46.46 per cent of First Nation people aged 15 and over had received their first COVID-19 vaccination, and 32.27 per cent had received their second dose.
Long term member of the City’s ARG, Aunty Jenny Knapp, said “Be safe and get vaccinated everyone!” while Co-Chair Sally-Anne Greengrass said “This is a really deadly opportunity to protect our mob and our community, while coming together to have a moorditj day and support our community”.
Ms Freeman said the clinic was designed to help improve vaccination rates for Cockburn’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, some of whom were more vulnerable to experiencing the debilitating health consequences of contracting the virus.
“A follow-up clinic is planned to allow people to also receive their second jab,” Ms Freeman said.
“We will continue this work until the vaccination rates of our local First Nation community is the same as or better than the Perth metropolitan average.
“We hope many families will attend on the day. The City is working with stakeholders to see what other encouragement and help can be provided to improve vaccination rates for Cockburn’s First Nation people.”
The clinic will be held 9.30am-2.30pm Saturday 6 November at Coolbellup Hub, Cordelia Avenue, with a free sausage sizzle and kids activities an added bonus.
For more information, call the City on 9411 3444 or send an
email.
Caption: Aunty Jenny Knapp and her daughter Karen Wright are encouraging fellow members of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to attend a walk-in clinic at Coolbellup Hub on Saturday 6 November.