BHP funds new COVID vaccination clinic in Moranbah

Mining giant BHP will be funding a vaccination clinic in Moranbah to help protect the community from COVID-19.

Operated by Vanguard Health and funded by BHP, the clinic is providing vital vaccinations in the Bowen Basin region to help keep communities safe.

BHP’s Vital Resources Fund, established to help regional communities through the coronavirus pandemic, has funded regional COVID-19 testing centres in Moranbah and throughout the Bowen Basin to help to minimise the spread of COVID-19.

The Moranbah testing clinic has now transitioned from a COVID-19 testing hub to a full vaccination hub from Monday, 30 August.

It is expected the clinic will administer 500 vaccinations each week when at full capacity and pending supply.

Minerals Australia President, Edgar Basto, said it was a proud moment for BHP, to support one of the first vaccination hubs in the Bowen Basin.

“Throughout this pandemic, we have gone above and beyond to manage the COVID-19 risks and to keep our workers safe and our operations continuing,” Basto said.

“The safety of our people and the community is our number one priority,” he said.

“We will to continue to play our part in protecting the communities of Central Queensland.”

Basto continued that BHP is also encouraging its workers to protect themselves and the community by choosing to get vaccinated if they are able to do so.

He said their hope is that people see the wisdom in getting vaccinated, both for themselves, but also to protect those around them.

Owen Edmunds, Manager Production Coal at BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s (BMA) Goonyella Riverside Mine, has received his first vaccination at the clinic.

“I have a number of family members and good friends that have been impacted in other countries not as fortunate as Australia, and this is a way for us to continue being fortunate, with more than just luck,” he said.

Members of the community can book an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the Moranbah clinic via the Queensland Health website.

Isaac Regional Council Acting Mayor Kelly Vea Vea congratulated BHP on their investment in the fight against COVID-19 and welcomed the increased vaccine capacity that will help keep the Isaac region safe.

“BHP and Vanguard have been integral to protecting Isaac communities throughout the pandemic first with setting up their COVID-19 testing centre and now with the conversion of their facility into a vaccination hub” Acting Mayor Kelly Vea Vea said.

“It is important that mining companies in our region support the communities that support their operations and BHP have definitely stepped up with this investment and shown their commitment to helping our communities stay protected,” she concluded. a

Source: BHP