SA woman allegedly paid vulnerable person to get Covid-19 vaccine in her name

The South Australian Premier has slammed a woman after she allegedly paid a vulnerable person to get the Covid vaccine in her name.

Steven Marshall has slammed a South Australian woman who allegedly paid a vulnerable person to get the Covid-19 vaccine in her name.

The woman was arrested and charged with deception offences at Chapel Hill, near Mount Barker, last night.

Police will allege in court the 52-year-old paid a vulnerable person a sum of money to receive the jab in her name on Monday, January 10.

“It will be alleged that she accompanied the person to a Mount Barker vaccination clinic, deceiving SA Health by allowing the person to receive the Covid-19 vaccination in her own name, while presenting to be the carer of that person,” SA Police said in a statement.

“It is further alleged the woman required evidence of vaccination for her own employment.”

A South Australian woman allegedly paid a vulnerable person to get the Covid-19 vaccine in her name. Picture: Cristina Vega Rhor/AFP

The woman has been charged with deception and dishonest dealing with documents, and has been bailed to appear in court on March 30.

As South Australia reported another 1953 new virus cases, the Premier told reporters the situation was “quite extraordinary”.

“This is unconscionable behaviour, if correct,” Mr Marshall said.

“I think it’s very good that the police got onto this.

“This (sounds like) completely unacceptable behaviour but let’s see what happens in the court proceedings.”

Premier Steven Marshall called the situation “quite extraordinary”. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

More than 90 per cent of South Australians aged 12 and over have now received both initial vaccine doses.

During his update today, Mr Marshall also suggested the state may have turned the corner in regards to its latest outbreak.

“These (case) numbers do bob around but this is significantly below the seven day average now,” the Premier said.

“I think we are definitely past our peak now here in South Australia.”

There are currently 288 South Australians being treated in hospital with the virus, 27 of whom are in intensive care and of those, five of whom require a ventilator.

“I expect more people are recovering than are newly infected,” Mr Marshall said, adding that the hospitalisation numbers are “well within our capacity”.

“Things are tracking well at the moment but we can’t be complacent.”