Coronavirus vaccine secrecy row as SA Health accused of ‘hiding’ true COVID-19 vaccine picture amid worst rollout figures

SA Health is embroiled in a new secrecy row over its vaccine rollout as data shows SA still has country’s lowest jab use – and a five-month high in cases.

SA Health has been accused of “hiding” the number of people it is vaccinating, as new data shows South Australia still has the lowest COVID-19 jab use in the country.

A Federal Government breakdown published late on Monday shows SA Health has used 59 per cent of its 95,080 available deliveries.

The figure, up from last week’s 57 per cent use of 79,990 vials, remains Australia’s worst. Other states have used about three quarters of stock.

SA Health came under fire on Monday after it changed the way it reported jab tallies.

The details emerged as the number of COVID-positive patients in South Australian medi-hotels has hit its highest level in almost five months.

The state on Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary of its traveller quarantine program.

Since February 22, it has reported the daily number of vaccinations it has administered – its latest tally 46,591 after 437were issued on Sunday.

But new tallies also include immunisations co-ordinated by the Commonwealth, including those at GP clinics, and aged care facilities, with no specific breakdowns.

There have been 119,102 jabs given in SA.

Accusing authorities of “hiding their inadequacies” and labelling the latest data as “disappointing”, Labor spokesman Chris Picton said the public had a right to know how slow SA Health’s rollout was.

“The government deciding to hide their own poor performance risks harming public confidence in this vital program,” he said.

“Hiding the number of people (being) vaccinated is not going to help protect our community any quicker.

“The Marshall Government can’t pass off the Commonwealth’s work to vaccinate in GP clinics as their own work when they had nothing to do with it.”

Michael Archer, 77 receiving the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine from Dr. Daniel Byrne at Chandler’s Hill Surgery in Happy Valley. Picture: Matt Loxton

Health Minister Stephen Wade said SA Health’s update would provide an aggregate figure.

“What matters to the community is the total amount of jabs in the arms of South Australians,”he said.

“We have always said that our GP networks will be delivering the bulk of vaccine doses … so including these figures is more meaningful.”

Officials say the latest data shows 7.2 per cent of all state doses have been administered, which was above the state’s share of population.

SA Health will open large-scale clinics within weeks to deliver 3000 Pfizer vaccines a day at the Showgrounds, Playford Civic Centre and former Masters site, at Noarlunga.

AMA state president Chris Moy said state and federal leaders must work together and not embark on a “blame game”.

Dr Daniel Byrne, a former Royal College of GPs president, said his Chandlers Hill surgery at Happy Valley asked for 1000 weekly doses, but was given 400.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s Transition Committee, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, also state co-ordinator, said he was keen for a quick rollout that “gives us the freedom to lift” restrictions.

SA Health on Monday reported six sick expatriates who returned positive tests after arriving in Adelaide at the weekend.

They include men and women, aged from their 20s to 60s, and children from two separate families.

They are in a stable condition in the Tom’s Court COVID-19 facility.

They are among 19 active or infectious patients currently in SA.

This is the highest level since November 28, at the height of the state’s worst virus outbreak, the Parafield cluster.

A traveller in his 40s is in a stable condition in the Royal Adelaide Hospital, after fighting for life for more than a fortnight in intensive care.

New SA Health figures show the second-highest number of local COVID-positive patients have come from India.

That country is grappling with “double mutation” variant of coronavirus.

SA Health on Monday night said one local patient had that strain.

Last week, SA Health revealed 150 medi-hotel workers, from a 1000-strong workforce, had refused to be vaccinated, including police officers.

Authorities have sought legal advice on whether to make the jab mandatory for those workers.

An SA Health spokeswoman said officials were reviewing the latest advice in conjunction with the revelant Emergency Management direction.

Mr Stevens revealed all officers who refused a jab were transferred from medi-hotel duties.

He said between seven and eight per cent had refused to be vaccinated or not yet decided.