Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative (GEGAC), in Bairnsdale is now offering the Pfizer vaccine to the Aboriginal community.
Previously GEGAC was just vaccinating with the AstraZeneca vaccine, but now the Pfizer jab is available, many in the community are expected to opt to have it.
From this week, Pfizer is available for all Gippsland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged between 16 and 49 in order to protect the community from the spread of COVID-19.
“Getting the vaccine does more than just protect ourselves, it protects our family, our Elders”, said Jamie Williamson, the chief executive officer of GEGAC.
A partnership agreement between all levels of government and Aboriginal community controlled organisations has allowed the Pfizer vaccine to be rolled out during Reconciliation Week, which finishes tomorrow.
“This has allowed us to now work with all of our community as a whole with safe and tested vaccine options to stop COVID-19 disrupting the things that we want to do and get on with,” Mr Williamson said.
GEGAC is encouraging all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within Gippsland who are interested in obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine to contact its medical centre in Dalmahoy Street.
GEGAC’s general manager of medical and dental, Sarah Baxter, says non-Indigenous people will also be able to receive either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine in due course by phoning the medical centre for an appointment.
Orbost Regional Health will also start rolling out vaccinations from its clinic in the town on Saturday. See the Snowy River Mail for more details.

IMAGE: Local health worker, Carmel Hood, receives the Pfizer vaccine at Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative, (GEGAC), in Bairnsdale, yesterday morning. K155-8213