COVID vaccine rollout delays frustrate vulnerable Australians in priority group
ABCAny Australian over the age of 50 will be able to get a COVID vaccine from May 3, but many vulnerable Australians are frustrated that they are still yet to be vaccinated despite being in the priority group. Key points: Margaret Ruff is angry her son who lives in a disability care home has not been vaccinated yet Margaret Ruff is angry her son who lives in a disability care home has not been vaccinated yet Jess Kapuscinski Evans says she doesn't understand why all people over 50 will be given access before many people with a disability Jess Kapuscinski Evans says she doesn't understand why all people over 50 will be given access before many people with a disability The Health Department says vaccinations in the disability sector will ramp up this week Margaret Ruff's son Raymond, 45, contracted meningitis as a child and is now intellectually disabled and cannot talk, he also has hemiplegia and epilepsy. "The plan is to get all of phase 1, the vulnerable people, done by the middle of the year but that doesn't mean disability in 1A isn't a priority," he said. Frustration over the rollout Jess Kapuscinski Evans is concerned the "general public are getting vaccinated at a faster rate" than people with a disability. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Health said "the vaccination of people with disability and disability workers eligible under phase 1a remains a high priority".