MERCY Community has helped more than 600 people – those they support, close family and team members – get vaccinated onsite in the fight against COVID-19 to date.
Mercy Community governance and risk director Tim Nayton said there were two important reasons to have the vaccine – individual protection and set-up a line of defence in the broader community.
“It became clear that we needed to make it as easy as possible for our team so that they could safely undertake their work and also the people we support, who are amongst the most vulnerable groups, to become vaccinated, ,” Mr Nayton said.
“Adding onsite vaccinations was absolutely logical.”
Mercy Community worked with Aspen Medical, a healthcare solutions provider contracted by the Federal Government who were able to come onsite and deliver vaccination hubs. Delivering vaccinations where there was the greatest need was the top priority.
“Our initial focus was on any people we support in residential disability and aged care who were in the Phase 1a roll out but remained unvaccinated, as well as our staff who worked in those areas,” Mr Nayton said.
Vaccines then went on to include the families of the vulnerable people Mercy Community supported
It started with two hubs, which received an overwhelming response, and had now expanded out to other locations in Toowoomba and Zillmere.
Now, in the most recent hub, the vaccine coverage expanded to include other vulnerable groups such as First Nations people – mostly people in the Mercy Community programs or people who were closely associated with them.
“I believe we have an important social and community responsibility to support and improve the health of the broader community,” Mr Naylon said, “and this is a very important initiative.”
“We encourage other organisations in the human services sector or even in the wider, corporate sector to follow suit.”
Aspen Medical Group chief executive officer Bruce Armstrong said the organisation was pleased to support Mercy Community to vaccinate its customers and staff.
“We are thrilled to be able to play our part in protecting those in the Mercy Community and in the wider local communities from COVID-19,” he said.
“The team at Mercy Community have been great to work with.
“They are highly organised, which allows us to deliver the vaccinations efficiently.
“Vaccination will prevent the spread of COVID-19 and, if you are infected, a vaccination is designed to protect you from developing severe symptoms of COVID-19.
“It’s encouraging to see Mercy Community’s customers and staff willing to do their bit to protect themselves and the wider community.”
Mercy Community is in the process of scheduling their ninth hub now, which is back at Nudgee.
