SSI donated a pharmacy vaccine refrigerator to the Asylum Seeker Centre (ASC), so that the centre can provide free vaccines to those asylum seekers who are not covered by Medicare.
During a meeting convened by Refugee Health and attended by David Keegan, SSI Manager Humanitarian Services, it was revealed that some groups of asylum seekers did not have access to important vaccinations, such as immunisations for children.
Immunisations prevent disease and can save lives.
This group included people who had recently arrived to seek asylum and those who appealing decisions.
The ASC previously had a second-hand vaccine fridge, but its fluctuating temperature meant it was no longer functional, and the centre could not afford a new one.
After the meeting, Mr Keegan contacted a medical goods supplier, and they agreed to sell a vaccine fridge to SSI at cost.
Fiona Crawley, a registered nurse at the ASC, said their health team was really grateful for the important donation. “It’s a wonderful contribution from SSI,” she said.
“When clients arrive at our centre, they may not be up to date with their immunisations, and not many clinics are providing free vaccines anymore, so getting them could cost these people hundreds of dollars. Now we can kickstart their immunisations, especially for kids who might be entering the school system.”
