COVID-19 vaccines are set to be made even more accessible to South Australians, with the State Government launching the first three vehicles of a new fleet of mobile vaccination vans to hit the road across the state.

Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said 10 decommissioned ambulance vehicles were being recommissioned to support the mobilisation of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout across wide stretches of South Australia.

“South Australians have heeded the call to roll up and get vaccinated against COVID-19.

“More than 53% of our eligible population are now fully vaccinated against the deadly virus,” said Minister Wade.

“We want to see this figure continue to increase to reach our target of at least 80% of the population being fully vaccinated.

“We will continue to do everything we can to support getting the vaccine out into the community.

“Vaccination is our pathway out of the pandemic and we are determined to do everything we can to give every South Australian access to the lifesaving vaccine.”

Minister Wade said the addition of the fleet of mobile vaccination vans strengthens the outreach to reach pockets of the community with lower vaccination rates.

“It is not only critical that we drive up statewide vaccination rates, but that we ensure strong vaccination rates across geographical and cultural cohorts across the state.

“We are all in this together,” he said.

“There has never been an easier time to roll up your sleeve and get vaccinated.

“We know what to do – let’s get it done.”

SA Ambulance Service COVID-19 Incident Commander Chris Howie said the decommissioned fleet will be used by both metropolitan and regional Local Health Networks.

“They each will be fitted with fridges and storage cabinets, with capacity to carry up to 100 doses of the vaccine at a time,” Mr Howie said.

“Mobile services have been a great solution throughout the pandemic to support the work of protecting our community.

“Decommissioned ambulances staffed by SAAS clinicians have been successfully used to support pop-up testing clinics, and to deliver vaccines to the homeless as part of the community outreach program.”