00:01Do you want to have a read of that?
00:03In the red centre, at the sharp end.
00:07Relax your arm.
00:09Vaccinating against a disease once considered almost eradicated.
00:13We'll give you your badge of honour in your band-aid.
00:16But no longer.
00:17This is a very serious outbreak. We are throwing everything we can at this.
00:22That includes more than $7 million, mainly for more vaccines and a surge workforce to administer them.
00:29And with most of the cases recorded in remote Aboriginal communities,
00:33there's also money for community liaison and on-the-ground support.
00:37Our focus right now needs to be on controlling the outbreak.
00:41There have now been about 230 diphtheria cases recorded across the country so far this year.
00:47Most in the Northern Territory, but also spreading into Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.
00:53The widespread nature of this outbreak clearly shows that there has been a failure in our public health response.
01:00So you're left to your right arm.
01:02As it eyes the spread in neighbouring states, New South Wales is getting on the front foot,
01:07with a targeted program to ensure Indigenous Australians are up to date with their shots.
01:13It's really important for family, for community and for all the mob,
01:17that everybody comes in and gets their vaccines.
01:20Diphtheria's sudden re-emergence after the COVID pandemic means well-drilled public health measures are ready to kick in.
01:27That comes with an enhanced awareness of how vulnerable remote communities are
01:31and an acceptance that mobilising quickly provides the best chance of success.
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