Vaccinating our vulnerable

Published

August 19, 2021

Uniting Vic.Tas and Ballarat Community Health teamed up this week to provide the COVID-19 vaccination to some of the region’s most vulnerable.

Fifty-five vulnerable people who we have supported through our Street 2 Home program, as well as those who are regulars at our BreezeWay community meals program and our emergency relief service, received the COVID-19 vaccine.

Seventeen Uniting Vic.Tas staff who work on the frontline in homelessness and housing support and emergency relief also rolled up their sleeves to get the jab at BreezeWay.

Marina Henning, who we helped into permanent accommodation a few months ago, told ABC, many disadvantaged people didn’t have the means to book or access information on the vaccination rollout.

“I was a bit anxious and I was unsure about how to go about getting it until a worker from Uniting contacted me and booked me in and this day has been great,” she said.

“I’ve already tried to encourage a few others [to get vaccinated] and I’ll keep encouraging them.”

Uniting Vic.Tas Senior Manager Homelessness Adam Liversage said he was thrilled with the turnout.

“It shows there’s a lot of anxiety out there regarding COVID-19 and they want to get the shot.

“If our vulnerable people in our community are coming forward, it’s really setting an example for our community.

“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, everyone is susceptible to COVID-19 and everyone needs to get the jab so we can all get on with our lives.”

We want to thank Ballarat Community Health for their support in providing the vaccinations, nurses and support staff on the day.

 

Pictured: Uniting support worker getting vaccinated.

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