Throughout August, Monash Health’s South East Public Health Unit (SEPHU) delivered 15,300 Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to community organisations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) groups in our SEPHU catchment.
RATs were delivered to community organisations that do not already have access to free RATs through any other federal or state government distribution programs, to ensure that our most vulnerable communities have ready access. These organisations have been tasked with distributing the RATs directly to their network of community members.
Danielle Rees, Project Officer, Community Engagement with Monash Health, says that the RAT distribution blitz has provided an opportunity to disseminate valuable information and education around RAT use, along with other preventative measures that complement RAT usage.
“It’s the first time some of these communities are hearing about new antiviral treatments and the importance of testing early to get access to antiviral medications for those who are eligible,” says Danielle.
The messaging, which is available in 36 languages, will help our CALD and other vulnerable communities adopt preventative practices to minimise the spread of COVID and other respiratory illnesses, such as wearing masks, staying home if you have symptoms, and getting vaccinated.
While the federal government’s initiative of free RATs for concession holders ended on 31 July, Danielle says the August blitz has captured those groups who still require support.
The August blitz saw 64 organisations register for free RATs, each one eligible for up to 300 RAT kits. Organisations have included a variety of multicultural associations, community centres, senior citizen clubs and men’s sheds.
Approved by Professor Rhonda Stuart