Charlotte Varcoe
THE State’s leading health organisation has said Covid-19 boosters were about health and not freedom after a regional MP stated there was a “vaccination fatigue”.
Member for MacKillop Nick McBride addressed mayors from across the region last week, stating residents were deterred from receiving their third Covid shot due to a “lack of benefits”.
“If you are double vaccinated and you are a close contact it lands you a seven day isolation and ten days if you get the virus and people are questioning why they need another jab in the arm if nothing changes,” Mr McBride said.
He said people were looking forward to “getting out of” the pandemic as quickly as possible and encouraged Premier Steven Marshall to act as fast as possible.
“The rules may change and we may need a third jab to get into an airplane or an event but people are really looking to get out of this as fast as we can and I am hoping to encourage the Premier to move as fast as he possibly can to make that happen.
“People are questioning why they should get another vaccination if nothing is going to change.”
State Australian Medical Association vice president John Williams told The Border Watch there was evidence of vaccination fatigue with residents tired of needing extra Covid boosters.
“I do hear that people have continued to do the right thing such as get their boosters, wear masks and check in where necessary but are now looking to get on with life,” Mr Williams said.
“I feel the same myself and it would be great if we could just get on with life but the reality is that we can’t and we can’t ignore the risk of the Omicron variant.”
Mr Williams said booster vaccinations were not about a matter of freedom but more about maintaining the functionality of the health system.
“Receiving a booster shot is about health and safety and people feel more free when they feel safe,” he said.
“We know the medical advice is solid and people feel safer when they follow the medical advice.
“We have the freedom because we have a great health system and advice in the first place.”
Mr Williams said the uptake of booster shots had been a bit slow but further encouraged South Australians to receive their third dose.
“The evidence shows it is far safer to have a third shot and we greatly know it improves things, especially for those who have AstraZeneca and a Pfizer booster,” he said.
“South Australia has done so well and that is because of our great health care system and advice that has been given as well as the government that has followed that advice.”
