PILBARA AND KIMBERLEY VACCINATION RATES AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE COUNTRY

Vaccinations are now open to those over the age of 30 (Source: Rand Corporation)

Recent statistics released by the federal government show the Pilbara and Kimberley regions have shown the second lowest uptake, with just 10% percent of Indigenous people aged 15 and over fully vaccinated.

A low rollout of vaccines has caused concern about the lack of uptake by some of Australia’s most vulnerable people.

The President of the WA Branch of the Australian Medical Association Doctor Mark Duncan-Smith says not to believe Facebook.

“These vaccines are very safe, very effective, there are no conspiracy’s about these vaccines, I’m fully vaccinated and I’m very comfortable having done that”.

Dr. Duncan-Smith says that if COVID got out into remote communities it would be devastating.

Communities remain closed

CEO of remote Indigenous community Djarindjin Nathan McIvor recently opened a 37 powered campsite for tourists traveling along Cape Leveque Road.

The camp itself requires tourists to sign in using the COVID safe app and is located far from the main Indigenous communities along the road.

Djardjin community is connected to multiple tourist enterprises including being a part-owner of Kooljaman.

Despite the Dampier coast in Kimberley’s flooding with caravans, Djarindjin remains firmly closed to all tourists.

McIvor says the community is encouraging Djarindjin locals to continue to get the jab, and the community will only open once there is a 70% vaccination rate in the community.

He says at the start there were a lot of negative feelings towards the jab.

“ I think in the whole community there were 10 that took it up the first time”.

He says since then a lot of the community has gone to get the jab, and the organization is trying to protect people from those who don’t take the job.

Encouraging vaccinations

Since the announcement of the low rate of vaccine rates, there has been a push for people to get their vaccines.

Jane Cheedy was nominated for the Telstra Indigenous Art Awards and has encouraged Ngaarda people to get the jab (Source: Ngaarda Media)

In Roebourne, Yindibarndi artist Jane Cheedy got her vaccine and wants to encourage other Aboriginal people in the community to get theirs done on an outside broadcast for NAIDOC.

Jigalong Council Member, Margaret Samson says just 15 people in her community have received the jab and the vaccination clinic won’t be available in the near future and at a community meeting urged attendees to get vaccinated.

“I encourage my people. I told them, I don't want to force you guys. It's up to you. It’s their decision but end of the day we have to think about the community as a whole.”