The first South Australian to be charged with vaccine fraud faced the Mount Barker Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Chapel Hill woman Susan Louise Clarke, 52, is accused of paying a vulnerable woman a sum of money to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in her name in the Adelaide Hills in early January.
Police said Ms Clarke accompanied Tania Marshall to the Mount Barker vaccination clinic and deceived SA Health workers into giving the 57-year-old the vaccine in her name by pretending to be her carer.
Police said Ms Clarke needed evidence of the vaccination for her employment.
Vaccine mandates are in place for several sectors in South Australia, although some are being removed.
Ms Marshall — a National Disability Insurance Scheme care recipient — attended the Mount Barker Magistrates Court on Wednesday with her sister, Fran Perkins.
Ms Perkins said she was angry about the alleged incident and wanted to face Ms Clarke.
Ms Perkins said she was her sister's power of attorney and was shocked to learn she had allegedly been given the vaccine.
Ms Perkins said she had instructed Ms Marshall's real carer to not give her the coronavirus vaccine due to Ms Marshall's multiple health issues.
Ms Perkins said her sister only told her yesterday about what had happened in January.
"This is my sister who was born premature," Ms Perkins said outside court.
"She's had a heart condition and undeveloped lungs and low oxygen to the brain.
"I haven't slept all night."
Ms Clarke and her lawyer declined to comment on the case.
The matter will return to court in July.
