❓ Hon Martin Aldridge questions the Health Minister regarding COVID-19 vaccination rates in regional WA, specifically the Goldfields, Pilbara, and Kimberley, and the government's response to low vaccination rates in those areas. The Minister's response outlines existing vaccination efforts and data sharing arrangements with the Commonwealth.
AnsweredQoN 367Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the media statement from 24 October 2021 titled "More COVID-19 vaccination clinics popping up across WA", the Commonwealth's Local Government Area and SA4 Geographic Area data released on 25 October 2021, and question without notice 817 asked on 14 October 2021 by Hon Colin de Grussa, and I ask: (a) given the most recent Commonwealth data identifies communities in the Goldfields, Pilbara and Kimberley as having some of the lowest vaccination rates in Australia, when will the State Government establish permanent community vaccination clinics in these regions; (b) noting the State Government's $5.8 billion budget surplus, what additional measures or incentives is the State Government considering to ensure regional communities have access to vaccinations in a timely manner; and (c) has the Commonwealth responded to WA Health's request for increased access to information about vaccination rates in remote communities, particularly those which are not identified in the SA4 data and, if so, please table the response?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
9 December 2021
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Health
Response time
11 days
I am advised:
(a) The WA Country Health Service has established fixed vaccination clinics to service the communities in the larger centres in these regions. These clinics have been operating since March 2021. Additionally, in reach and visiting vaccination clinics have been operating at smaller hospitals, health centres across inland towns and nursing posts in remote communities.
(b) No incentives are currently being considered. WA Health and WA Police are utilising information from the Australian Immunisation Register to provide targeted information sessions to areas in need, followed up by vaccination clinics. Community leaders are consulted in providing targeted information sessions that dispel myths about vaccination.
(c) Yes. The Commonwealth now provides WA Health with additional data on vaccination coverage in Western Australia’s Aboriginal population by means of an ‘Indigenous Vaccination Program SITREP’ report. As this data is Commonwealth Government data, WA Health is not authorised to provide it.
(a) The WA Country Health Service has established fixed vaccination clinics to service the communities in the larger centres in these regions. These clinics have been operating since March 2021. Additionally, in reach and visiting vaccination clinics have been operating at smaller hospitals, health centres across inland towns and nursing posts in remote communities.
(b) No incentives are currently being considered. WA Health and WA Police are utilising information from the Australian Immunisation Register to provide targeted information sessions to areas in need, followed up by vaccination clinics. Community leaders are consulted in providing targeted information sessions that dispel myths about vaccination.
(c) Yes. The Commonwealth now provides WA Health with additional data on vaccination coverage in Western Australia’s Aboriginal population by means of an ‘Indigenous Vaccination Program SITREP’ report. As this data is Commonwealth Government data, WA Health is not authorised to provide it.
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