Will we really be ready to open next month? SA AMA questions state’s double vaccination rate

Top SA medicos aren’t convinced 80 per cent of the population really will be double vaccinated ahead of November 23 – and that’s got them worried.

Leading South Australian medicos aren’t convinced 80 per cent of the population really will be double vaccinated ahead of November 23 – the date set yesterday for the easing of border restrictions.

AMA SA president Dr Michelle Atchison said reaching this target across rural, as well as metropolitan areas of the state, needed to remain the number one priority.

“AMA feels very strongly that we need to be at 80 per cent across as many different groups as possible and this includes in rural areas, Aboriginal populations and among our young people,” she said.

“The focus needs to be on getting the vaccination message to 100 per cent of the population, wherever they live.

“It is also important to remember we need a two-week buffer after this vaccination rate is achieved … we wouldn’t want to see an easing of borders without that.”

AMA SA president Dr Michelle Atchison. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Dr Atchison has concerns the target will be reached by early December, let alone 10 days earlier.

“I would have thought it was starting to look a little difficult,” she said, ahead of Premier Steven Marshall’s “road map out of Covid” announcement.

Dr Atchison said while many health workers would be approaching six months since having their Covid vaccinations – the time frame suggested for boosters – there wasn’t yet a sense of urgency, with the focus remaining on the general population first getting double vaccinated.

“We haven’t got confirmation that health workers are in line to get a booster shot, we are aware it is coming but it hasn’t been announced yet,” she said.

“At this stage approval has been given to those working in aged care as well as those with special medical needs.”

SA head of the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (ANMF), Elizabeth Dabars. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

Meanwhile, SA head of the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (ANMF), Elizabeth Dabars, remains fearful that there are not enough nurses and midwives to cope with any additional demand when Delta inevitably arrives in this state.

“As it stands, Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) alone is trying to fill 280 nursing and midwifery vacancies (while) in one day alone in recent weeks, the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) was unable to fill 28 night shifts and 35 day shifts,” she said.

“Staff are already working well beyond capacity and the system is overwhelmed daily.”

And she says the Government’s plan to give jobs to 1200 graduating nurses – up from about 600 most years – is welcome but is not the answer to Covid.

“We lobbied for graduates to be appointed and were pleased the Government listened … (but) they need proper assistance as they learn and gain experience (and) should not be used as cannon fodder against Covid.”