16/08/2021
Useful information from the wonderful Growing Space about vaccinations. Thanks to Sam Paior
NSW: Sydney Pfizer disability/carer/support worker priority booking link: https://22214.covidhub.com.au/hca.v.php
SA: How and where to get a vaccination booking in SA for disabled people, carers and teens (and support workers). (Some testing info too)
Save this or share to your timelines as I will keep this updated.
Have you had a lousy time trying to get you or someone you love a covid19 vaccination?
The vaccination rollout has been a mess for disabled people and carers. It’s frustrating, and life threatening, as we are seeing unfold in the eastern states. So here’s the skinny for info in SA, brought together after literally months of hassling authorities and being dragged from pillar to post. I still don’t have all the info I need, but we’re getting there.
The reasons for all the mess really don’t make any sense, and actually, I’m not going to try and explain why, because to be honest, it’s all doing my head in…
So… I’ll just get you the info you need to know.
1. NDIS Participants 12+ (federal clinics), their families and workers 16+ are all eligible NOW, and can book online at https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines BUT there may be a quicker/better option for you below – please read on!.
2. NDIS participants 12-15 (State clinics) are also able to get vaccinated, but to make sure vaccination clinics are prepared to manage any sh*tty reactions, SA Health asks that families of these children make an appointment with their GP to get the shots, and if their GP doesn’t do shots, (or your child needs the backup of the WCH) then to make an appointment to get a referral to have the shot at the WCH (where they have all the kid sized equipment in case someone has a bad reaction). When you go to your GP, the GP is supposed to call a hotline at the WCH to see whether the GP can give the shot, or whether the child should be referred to the WCH.
3. NDIS participants who can travel for their shots, but might not manage at the usual vaccination centres, can go to the Enfield or Brighton Vaccination Hub run by Aspen –– they should be more attune and accommodating for disabled people – let them know what is needed when you book.
• Disabled people and workers: Enfield Residential Aged Care and Disability Service Clinic. Phone 8161 9606 or call call 0437 325 123 for special arrangements.
• Disabled people and family carers: The Aspen clinic at Minda at Brighton is also available for disabled people and family carers to book – there are even some same day appointments available! Click here to book: https://bit.ly/3m5EtYC or call 0448 428 225 for same day bookings. I hear the team here are very accommodating and will even do a jab for an anxious or less mobile participant while in their car if that is what is needed.
• Support and Aged Care workers: Aspen Medical Aged Care and Disability Vaccination Hub, Medindie. Phone 0437 325 123
• Support and Aged Care workers: Highgate Park Clinic. Phone 8272 1988
4. If there are two or more disabled people at your home, your vaccinations can be done at home, apparently, according to the website, but the Federal government line and the SA Gov line handballed me back and forth – I hope to update this info during the day after I reach out to other contacts. Again. (I’m sure they’re all sick of me, too bad so sad)
5. Lastly, if you are bed bound, or your behavioural support needs mean that attending a clinic in person (or in the car) is genuinely not an option, if you have a GP who has access to the vaccines, they should come to you, but if your GP doesn’t have access, then you can… I JUST DON’T KNOW THE ANSWER. I’m sorry. I am hunting this down and will edit when I get the info.
Tips and tricks –
• I hear some of the regular vaccination clinics are requesting proof of disability, so I suggest you bring the first page of your NDIS plan as evidence, especially if your disability is not all that easy to “see”.
• While glitches may well allow you to book a 12-15yo at a regular vaccination clinic, chances are you will be turned away once you get there – save yourself the stress and use the process as outlined above.
• Family carers ARE eligible – and that includes siblings etc who are 16+ - don’t forget these folks.
• General disability related vaccination information is at https://bit.ly/2VOPFOz
COVID Testing in-home for those who are home/bed bound:
There are only 60 of these appointments available in metro Adelaide each day from 8-4pm (plus regional visits if you’re within 30 minutes of one of their regional testing labs) – so please, only use this if you absolutely are unable to attend a drive through or walk-in testing clinic. More info here: https://bit.ly/3AMwTG3
Auslan:
Clinpath have a COVID testing with Auslan service at their Mile End drive through testing site on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8-1pm 21 James Congdon Drive. No bookings required - https://www.clinpath.com.au/covid-19/auslan-service/
There’s a heap of Easy Read resources about covid vaccinations in general at https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/covid-19-vaccination-easy-read-resources, and https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/resources/coronavirus-information/easy-read-resources/ and some social stories at https://pathfindersforautism.org/coronavirus-social-stories/
Please share this info. It’s really important. Please no edits. If you’ve got more info to add – please post it here and I’ll update.
Pic desc: a young woman with Down syndrome, wearing a blue surgical mask holing her sleeve to show a bandaid on her upper arm, with her other hand doing a thumbs up, next to another lady wearing a mask. Photo credit: Children’s Hospital Colorado
