Free Covid Rapid Antigen Tests scrapped for vulnerable South Aussies as new vaccination hub opens in Adelaide

Plans to scrap free rapid antigen tests for vulnerable groups have sparked fury, as the state’s main vaccination hub closes. A new pop-up jab clinic has been announced.

Free Covid-19 home test kits for vulnerable South Australians will be scrapped within weeks despite the country facing a third Omicron wave.

It comes as the state’s biggest jab hub at Wayville closes.

The walk-in vaccination site provided more than 500,000 jabs since it opened but will close at 2pm Thursday so Royal Adelaide Show preparations can begin.

A new pop-up Covid jab site opened in the West Parklands from 8.30am Wednesday, with entry available at Sir Donald Bradman Drive.

No bookings are required.

Health Minister Chris Picton said the clinic would offer the Pfizer vaccine to ages five and up, including the fourth winter dose for people aged 30 and up.

The Health Minister urged all eligible South Australians to roll up their sleeves.

Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said the clinic hoped to manage the winter surge in Covid cases, after huge queues formed at the Wayville hub on Monday when the fourth shot was approved for people aged over 30.

“We are so fortunate to have such easy access to the vaccine in South Australia and this new clinic in the CBD will make it even easier for the community,” Prof Spurrier said.

Prof Spurrier warned that the new Omicron sub-variants BA. 4 and BA. 5 were breaking through previous immunity, making a fourth dose all the more important.

Enter off Sir Donald Bradman Drive. No booking required. https://t.co/OEc6ESpPGj

— Chris Picton MP (@PictonChris) July 12, 2022

She said modelling of the winter peak is expected to hit the state around July 19 and again urged people to wear masks.

“We are most certain about the fact that we are having this wave and indeed our numbers are tracking up at the moment, we’re less certain about how high it will be and exactly when the peak will be,” she said.

“If we put in place some protective behaviour, say 100 per cent of us in South Australia started wearing masks, it will reduce the transmission potential by about 10 per cent.

“We could see reduced numbers because of that, and so our predictions would end up looking higher,” Prof Spurrier said.

The new West Parklands vaccination clinic will be available for South Australians for a month which is expected to help battle the surge.

A new vaccination site will be set up at the Myer Centre in the city on Friday.

Last week, SA Health said new modelling forecast a rise in hospitalisations of people suffering with only Covid from fewer than 100 cases to more than 150 within three weeks.

There were 246 South Australians hospitalised with Covid as of Tuesday.

People see lining up to get their vaccination at the Wayville Showgrounds Vaccination Hub on Monday morning, July 11, 2022. Picture: Greg Barila

Scott Morrison’s refusal to do his job has real consequences. RATs should be free and accessible for all Australians via Medicare.

— Mark Butler MP (@Mark_Butler_MP) January 13, 2022

It comes as fury erupted after the federal government on Tuesday revealed the rapid antigen test subsidy would end on July 31.

Since January, seniors, disabled people and other concession card holders could receive up to 10 free RATS every three months.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners SA and NT chairman Dr Danny Byrne criticised a “terrible decision” that put the vulnerable at risk.

“It is the worst timing you could think of,” he said.

Rapid antigen tests should be free and easily available. We’re in a pandemic, everyone needs access. pic.twitter.com/YDyUiM2UxH

— Mark Butler MP (@Mark_Butler_MP) January 4, 2022

Minister Health and Aged Care Mark Butler. Picture: Morgan Sette

“Could we please bring back the care in Medicare?”

Acting Pharmacy Guild national president, Adelaide-based Nick Panayiaris, condemned the decision.

“It is a backward step at this time and one which undoubtedly will have long-term negative effects in our ongoing fight to manage the virus,” he said.

Council for Older Australians chief executive Ian Yates added: “We would not want cost to be a factor in pensioners checking whether or not they have Covid.”

Federal Opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston said Labor appeared to be defying key expert advice.

“Australians must question the timing of these cuts especially during the midst of the new, dangerous wave of Covid going through our communities,” she said.

Greens SA health spokesperson, Robert Simms MLC said the State Government must move to secure RATs for vulnerable South Australians.

“It’s not acceptable for the State Government to wash their hands of this. As the cost of living continues to surge and SA faces another COVID wave, we don’t want vulnerable South Australians to be in a situation where they can’t afford to purchase a RAT and miss out on being tested,” Mr Simms said.

Senator Ann Ruston. Picture: Kelly Barnes ARCHIVING

Daily cases are tipped to hit 6000, putting hospitals under further pressure.

Close Covid contacts can still collect free RATs at SA Health collection sites.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler, who called for universal free testing in January, said the Liberal program was launched when it was “borderline impossible” to find a RAT and costs were high.

He urged concession card holders to get allocations now.

“Now that the significant supply issues have resolved, prices have come down significantly,” he said.

State Health Minister Chris Picton said the State Government would continue to provide free rapid antigen tests despite the Federal Government scrapping the scheme.

“These are available for people who are close contacts and you just have to register on the SA Health website and you’re able to pick up a pack of five rapid antigen tests,” he said.