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Newy nurses vaccinating ‘on country’ to help protect most vulnerable

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A trio of Newcastle nurses has joined the race to vaccinate, travelling to Walgett to provide urgent assistance to vulnerable Indigenous communities. 

University of Newcastle Dean and Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery Professor Amanda Johnson travelled with a team of experienced nurses to the regional NSW area, offering assistance with vaccinations ‘on country’ in a bid to stop the further spread of Covid-19.

The support was at the invitation of the Walgett Aboriginal Medical Services (WAMS), who share a long-standing partnership with the school.

Since landing on Monday Professor Johnson and her team have vaccinated more than 200 community members with the support of 

Professor Johnson is joined by Wiradjuri woman and Head of the School’s Indigenous Portfolio, Professor Rhonda Wilson, and Associate Professor Donna Hartz, a descendent of Kamilaroi people.

Their planned 5-day assignment was in response to a feared coronavirus outbreak after a positive case was detected in the township on Wednesday 11 August.

Authorities feared an outbreak could have dire consequences if it spread within the Indigenous community.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have been identified as a priority group for the COVID-19 vaccination rollout program since the pandemic’s start.

The Australian Government Department of Health website advises:

“This is because of the higher risk of getting very sick and developing serious illness from COVID-19. This may be due to a higher rate of chronic health conditions and in some cases crowded-living conditions, which increases the risk of spreading the infection.”

Professor Johnson says her and her team are in a race against time because of the sheer scale of land they are covering.

The Walgett Shire covers an area of 22,000 square kilometres.

“The Indigenous population have family everywhere,” she said. “Family is important to them and they travel to be with family, but sadly this virus spreads through mobility.

“We need everyone to understand, not just our Indigenous population, that if you’re not moving around you can’t transport the virus. 

“We need everyone to just stay put for now.”

While the community is ordered to stay at home, Professor Johnson and her team have been vaccinating wherever deemed suitable.

“Yesterday we did 100 in a park,” she said.

“We vaccinated about 30 or 35  in a shearing shed as well. You don’t get more Australian than that.”

This work comes off the back of an 18-month partnership between the University of Newcastle and the Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service. 

The University and WAMS are working towards a potential ‘On-Country’ component to be added to the University’s Bachelor of Nursing that would see student nurses learning and working in Walgett as part of their degree.

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