PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Diversified miner Rio Tinto this week officially opened the Covid-19 vaccination clinic, in Tom Price, aimed at boosting vaccination rates in the Pilbara.

The clinic has been set up in partnership with the Western Australian government, and will operate through to September 21, but will return to allow members of the community to receive their second dose of the vaccine.

“More than 60% of Western Australians have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine but we want to continue to get as many Western Australians vaccinated as possible,” said Western Australian Health Minister Roger Cook.

"I'm proud of this partnership between the government and Rio Tinto to vaccinate people in regional Western Australia, and we look forward to working with more resources companies in future to help keep Western Australia safe."

Rio is working with the state government to establish similar clinics in Pannawonica and Dampier, the company said.

The vaccination hubs at Perth Airport would open from October 11, targeting workers returning to Perth. The hubs will be available to Rio’s fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workforce who regularly travel to and from the Pilbara, as well as Western Australia’s wider FIFO mining industry who wish to utilise the facilities.

Rio iron-ore CEO Simon Trott has urged all eligible community members to take part in the vaccination drive.

“We urge the local community to take advantage of having the clinic on their doorstep, and make an appointment as soon as possible. At the end of this blitz, we would love for Tom Price to be the most vaccinated town in Australia which would be a terrific outcome.

“By setting up and running the clinic in Tom Price, it allows the Department of Health to free up resources that can be used to prioritise vaccinations in remote Aboriginal communities, which is a vital part of Western Australia’s pathway out of the pandemic.

“Rio Tinto is proud to work with the government on this important partnership and will continue to look at ways to help to boost vaccination rates across regional Western Australia.”