Covid-19 vaccination boost as chemists get help for staff amid huge slump in Omicron cases
A popular theatre company has mandated vaccinations for kids, as the Premier says fast-tracking training for pharmacy staff could give SA’s jab rates a much needed shot in the arm.
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South Australia has recorded its lowest daily Covid-19 case rise in almost a month as pharmacies were given a double boost to help increase jab rates.
Announcing 140 fewer cases in the past 24 hours, Premier Steven Marshall also revealed five new deaths in the past few days, two of those since Monday.
Among the latest of state’s 74 Covid-related deaths included two women, one in her 70s and the other old than 100, along with three men – one in his 80s and two in their 90s.
Tuesday’s 1869 total new infections was the lowest daily rise since December 30, before the current Omicron wave.
There are seven fewer patients recovering in hospital to 287 while three more have been admitted to intensive care. Of the current 32 in ICU, five are needing ventilation.
The state government will on Wednesday announce the fast-tracked training for up to 200 new chemists to help boost jab rates.
Chief Pharmacist Naomi Burgess said 100 pharmacy interns and the same registered pharmacists will be prioritised for the training.
Meanwhile, Theatre Bugs, the children’s arts company recently at the centre of the Norwood Covid outbreak, is among the first extra-curricular activities to mandate vaccinations for members.
In a statement to media, Theatre Bugs said children aged five and up must be vaccinated by term 2 to take part in their singing, dancing and drama classes.
It said the company had a “duty of care” for staff and teachers.
Among the chemists is newly registered pharmacist Kuldej Verma, 37, of Athelstone, who has started immunising at the Star Discount Pharmacy, Magill.
“It helps people get their jab, it’s good for the state, it’s helps the pharmacy, it is good progress,” said the father-of-two, who emigrated from India in 2018.
A second round of grants will also open for chemists to boost jab rates under a $1.075 million government scheme.
Mr Marshall said he encouraged newly registered pharmacists and pharmacy interns to get
subsided training to support the industry’s vaccination effort.
He said local health networks were focusing on increasing jab access in areas with lower
vaccine uptake, especially rural and remote areas.
“We recognise the important role pharmacists continue to play in South Australia’s vaccination
program,” he said
“Newly registered pharmacists and pharmacy interns are well placed to be quickly upskilled to boost the pharmacy vaccination workforce.”
“We are leaving no stone unturned in our effort to boost the vaccination workforce and bring on additional capacity wherever possible to get South Australians vaccinated and boosted.”
Mr Marshall issued a new plea for people to get vaccinated amid a large surplus in supplies.
“What I can emphasise … is there are just thousands and thousands of appointments that are now going to waste,” he said.
“Tomorrow is a public holiday and Wayville will be open for walk-ins. Wayville can do 4000 (vaccinations) a day and only 1000 are booked in.”
Mr Marshall also launched a $2.3 million Wellbeing SA boost to a phone monitoring program for Covid patients.
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