‘The only way forward’: Donna Ah Chee’s emotional plea to the Central Australian community to get vaccinated if eligible

Central Australian health organisations have pleaded with the community to roll up their sleeves and get the Covid-19 vaccination if eligible.

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CENTRAL Australian health organisations have pleaded with the community to roll up their sleeves and get the Covid-19 vaccine if eligible.

Central Australian Aboriginal Congress chief executive Donna Ah Chee said Central Australians needed to be prepared for Covid-19 to spread into the community.

“Central Australians seem to have a false sense of security when it comes to this virus,” she said.

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“The fact that it hasn’t yet been transmitted here is a wonderful thing, but it can’t last.

“We have seen what has happened in other places. We have seen the way health systems crumble under the demand. We have seen such sickness and death.

“The harsh fact is, that without community immunity, if the virus comes here it will cost lives.”

Ms Ah Chee said Victorians arriving in the Territory – as the Covid-19 cluster grew back in their home state – showed how important being vaccinated was.

“Having so many people travelling into the Territory from a high-risk area is yet another reminder about why vaccination is the only way forward,” she said.

“It is disappointing that people would jeopardise the health and lives of our elders and families, but we have seen time and again that people do the wrong thing or take risks.

“We can’t let other people’s risks allow this virus into our communities, and the best way to stop that happening is through each of us taking control and getting vaccinated.”

Mutitjulu Community Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Thalia Bohl-van den Boogaard said getting the vaccine was critical for protecting the whole community.

“The vaccination is one way for people to protect themselves and other people from Covid-19,” she said.

“It is important to protect themselves, but it is also important that by getting vaccinated, people can help protect others who are vulnerable or not eligible or able to get the vaccine.”

As of last Saturday 9358 vaccine doses had been administered across Central Australia by NT Health-managed facilities. Of those, 588 doses had been administered in the 24 hours prior.