DESPITE the floods, a mammoth effort to vaccinate the community against COVID-19 is ongoing, and one Gunnedah health service has made a renewed push to put jabs in arms of the most vulnerable.
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Winanga-Li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre held a pop-up vaccination clinic on Wednesday, and anyone who had their first jab walked away with a complimentary goodie bag, $60 eftpos voucher, data credit, and more.
Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service's Dr Raj Ishhri, who works twice a week in Gunnedah, said after months of Royal Flying Doctor Service pop-up clinics, it was important the service kept up the momentum.
"We have an outreach service out here because there's not as many GPs available in Gunnedah so we send doctors here twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays," he said.
"We were involved with the Royal Flying Doctors Service to bring the clinics here, and vaccinate around here and in the smaller towns in the region.
"Now, after the clinics, we're continuing the effort of vaccinating the community."
A Foodbank truck was set up across the road at the Gunnedah PCYC on the day, providing boxes packed full of fresh fruit and vegetables to anyone impacted by flooding.
Dr Raj Ishhri said holding their pop-up clinic in conjunction with Foodbank's pop-up truck was a good opportunity for the unvaccinated and vulnerable.
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If one person turns up it's a plus, because that's one person who previously wouldn't have been able to get it.
- Dr Raj Ishhri - Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service
"They got in contact with us because they thought it would be a good opportunity for those people who are not vaccinated to also have their vaccines on the day," he said.
"So we've done a special run today to be here and give vaccines."
He said while the majority of people vaccinated on the day received their second dose, he had also done first doses and booster shots.
"People who have come in for their first doses, they get a gift pack to take with them and it's got a few goodies," he said.
"It's got $60 gift voucher, as well as something to eat, a dongle for Telstra with some information on that, and taxi vouchers."
While he was delighted with the turn out, he said even if one person attended, the whole day would have been worthwhile.
"If one person turns up it's a plus, because that's one person who previously wouldn't have been able to get it," he said.
By midday, Dr Ishhri had vaccinated 25 people, with a packed waiting room to go.
"I noted that most of the food is gone, so it was very busy this morning," he said.
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