COVan to provide COVID-19 protection
COVID-19
A dedicated van for delivering the COVID-19 vaccine will be touring rural and remote parts of the Far North from next week, making its first stop in Mossman.
The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service is using a motorhome, which has been fitted out with specialised equipment, to vaccinate up to 150 people per day.
The vehicle, dubbed the “COVan”, will be touring communities to provide COVID-19 protection in the Douglas Shire, Gulf Savanna, and western Tableland’s regions during the next couple of months.
It will be delivering the COVID-19 vaccine to staff at the Health Service’s rural and remote clinics, and eligible community members.
The COVID-19 mobile vaccination clinic will be at the Mossman Gorge on 25-26 May and 15-16 June, Mossman Hospital 27 May and 19 August, and Cow Bay 28-29 September.
CHHHS executive director of rural and remote services, Tracey Morgan, said it was exciting to be able to bring the COVID-19 vaccine to the more remote parts of the region.
“It doesn’t matter whether you are a nurse in a small, rural clinic or a ringer on a cattle station.
“When it comes to combating the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all in this together. Vaccinations can save thousands, if not millions of lives and the COVID-19 vaccine is still the best way to protect against this severe disease.
“When Australia’s international borders re-open, it is vital that our region – with its International Airport and dependence on tourism, agriculture and mining – is protected,” she said.
CHHHS Senior Registrar Dr Lachlan Gordon, said a team of up to six staff members, including a doctor, nurses, a pharmacist and an administration officer would be travelling on-board the COVan to each scheduled destination.
He said at each location, the COVan would be operated as a walk-in clinic, whereby no appointments would be necessary for eligible people for vaccinations.
“The vaccination will be delivered by trained immunisation teams to each unique community in an outreach model,” he said.
“This includes all residents, visitors, visa holders, FIFO workers and health staff.”
To find out your eligibility and nearest vaccination location, visit https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility