Rio Tinto and WA Government launch industry first vaccination blitz
August 19 2021 - 12:30AM
Business Wire
Rio Tinto is partnering with the Western Australian Government
to launch a COVID-19 vaccination blitz targeting communities in the
Pilbara and the fly-in fly-out workforce.
Following positive discussions between Rio Tinto and the WA
Department of Health, vaccination hubs will be established in the
Pilbara and at a trial clinic at Perth Airport to make vaccinations
more accessible.
Starting with Tom Price, planning is underway for hubs at
several locations in the Pilbara, with vaccines available to
members of the local community, Indigenous communities, Rio Tinto
employees, contractors and their families.
Rio Tinto is working with the Department of Health and the Shire
of Ashburton and is close to finalising a location for the proposed
Tom Price hub. The facility could potentially offer vaccines to the
entire adult population of Tom Price and surrounding
communities.
Rio Tinto’s COVID-19 screening facilities at Perth Airport (T2
and T3) will also be modified to include ‘pop-up’ vaccination hubs
to target workers returning to Perth. The hubs will initially be
available to Rio Tinto’s FIFO workforce, who regularly travel to
and from the Pilbara, with the option to expand the vaccination
service to the wider FIFO community.
The initial vaccination blitz is expected to commence in
September, subject to availability of vaccines. Rio Tinto will work
with the WA Government to finalise details in the coming weeks.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott said the company
stood ready to support the WA Government’s vaccination rollout in
any way it can.
“We are pleased to work in partnership with the WA Government on
this industry-first vaccination blitz, which we expect will help
boost vaccination rates in the Pilbara.
“This is an important development in our state’s effort to
combat COVID-19. We know vaccinations are our best way out of this
pandemic and we are very happy to convert our existing screening
facilities, which have helped keep COVID-19 out of our operations
and vulnerable communities for almost 18 months, to include
vaccination hubs.
“Given Rio Tinto’s large operational footprint in the Pilbara,
we are well positioned to support the WA Government’s vaccination
rollout in the region, ensuring the vaccine is more accessible to
remote and vulnerable communities.
“Plans are being developed to establish additional hubs in
places like Paraburdoo, Pannawonica and Dampier, following the Tom
Price vaccine blitz.
“While the initial vaccine blitz at Perth Airport will target
Rio Tinto’s FIFO workforce, we will work with the WA Government to
make our facilities available to others in the industry and
community.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the resources sector has
worked hard to continue to operate in a COVID-safe way. The next
step in is to play our part in making the vaccine accessible to as
many Western Australians as possible.”
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210818005863/en/
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