On March 5, 2021, we celebrated our first anniversary of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group on COVID-19 co-chaired by NACCHO and the Department of Health.
This group was brought together as a true partnership between the community-controlled health sector, and the Australian Government, to respond to COVID-19 and to keep it out of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and moving into the vaccine rollout, there has been shared decision-making between Governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We have done a great job to keep COVID-19 out of our communities.
One of the reasons we have been so successful in preventing COVID-19 is the quick response and leadership of our community controlled health sector. Across the world, COVID-19 has caused many people to become very unwell, no matter what their background, gender or race.
The COVID-19 vaccine is essential and safe for our mob and is endorsed by NACCHO.
It is important we protect our Elders. COVID-19 vaccines are soon commencing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults according to the priority plan. You will be able to get your free COVID-19 vaccine through Aboriginal Health Services, GP’s and other locations. I encourage all of you to listen to your local community-controlled health organisation as a trusted source of truth.