Catching the vax bus

• The Royal Flying Doctor Service’s bus on its way to a vaccination clinic near you.

By Tony Scott,
October 20, 2021

The campaign to vaccinate the State against the coronavirus reaches out into North-East towns early next month.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service’s two buses are being used to extend the campaign to regional areas, where residents have been slower to get vaccinated than in bigger centres.

Chief executive of the RFDS John Kirwan said the buses are equipped for a variety of purposes.

One bus has already been used as an emergency Covid respiratory clinic. 

“We’ve also been using them in conjunction with Diabetes Tasmania to run a statewide campaign on diabetes and general health.

“Another key use could be in natural disasters, so that after a bushfire for instance we can set up in a location and help residents with mental health and issues like that,” Mr Kirwan said.

The bus vaccination sessions at Bridport, Gladstone, Ringarooma and Winnaleah, starting on November 3, will follow another Government clinic for Pfizer strain shots next Sunday and Monday October 24 and 25.

The clinics to be held at the Scottsdale Squash Centre in Arthur Street will be open for anyone over 12 and run from 9:30am to 4pm both days.

The buses will also administer Pfizer on the same basis.

After their shot on the bus people will be asked to wait in a tent erected nearby.

People wanting a vaccination are encouraged to book the Scottsdale clinics online at www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au or by calling 1800 671 738 to reduce waiting times, though they can just turn up for the set up or bus clinics.

They will return to the same centres three weeks later for follow-up doses.

The schedule for the North-East vaccination bus:

Bridport Wednesday  November 3
10am–1pm

Gladstone. Wednesday  November 3
2pm–5pm

Ringarooma. Thursday  November 4
10am–4pm

Winnaleah Friday  November 5
10am–2pm