Regional volunteer ambos told they must have COVID-19 jab, driving concerns over staff shortages

Regional South Australian ambulance staff and volunteers will be required to have at least one COVID-19 vaccination by September 24.

The requirement is fuelling concerns the mandatory vaccination may create shortages in the volunteer paramedic workforce.

Volunteer crews provide a critical lifeline for residents living in more isolated communities.

There are more than 1,500 SA Ambulance Service volunteers in regional South Australia across 80 volunteer teams.

Kingston South East resident Noel Baker said he recently waited for an ambulance for 24 hours after he dislocated his hip.

He expressed fears if staff and volunteers did not get the jab, it would cause further strain on already over-stretched resources.

“I reckon response times will blow out big time,” Mr Baker said.

“I’ve been using the ambulance services a bit lately, because of a hip dislocation — several times, and the ambulance services are great.”

Mr Baker said paramedics were “very apologetic” if they ran late but it was not their fault. 

Both the Murray Mallee and Limestone Coast have been selected to follow the metro vaccine mandate.

A South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS) spokesperson said these regions were selected based on current risk — with the occasional need for ambulance staff to cross the border for call outs in Victoria.

SAAS will work with the Local Health Networks to ensure staff have priority access.

Both volunteers and career staff will be required to have at least one dose by September 24.

“SAAS has approval for all staff to have priority access to Pfizer vaccine irrespective of age, and immediate family members can priority access an age-appropriate vaccine also,” the spokesperson said.

“Any staff unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons will also be offered alternate duties as per arrangements for influenza vaccination.”

Meanwhile, the Ambulance Employees Association said 96 per cent of paid career ambulance officers across the state were now fully vaccinated.

“We’ve been very strong advocates for vaccination for the program,” acting secretary of the Ambulance Employees Association, Josh Karpowicz, said.

“The South East has had an increasing workload. Mount Gambier, especially, has had increasing demand on its healthcare services.”

He said it had become “harder and harder” to retain volunteers for the smaller communities.

“We’re really hoping the government will sort of step up in general and fund more ambulance services and healthcare services for our regional centres.”

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