Sarah Oliver
A summer vaccination blitz is underway with local sports clubs, youth groups and culturally and linguistically diverse communities among more than 200 organisations joining forces to get Victorian’s vaccinated with their third dose.
Victoria’s vaccination centres and 28 pop-ups are preparing to deliver third doses across the state. Victorians who had their second vaccine four or more months ago are now due for their third dose.
The vaccination third-dose blitz will roll out over this month, with up to 300,000 doses expected to be administered in the state-run system alone to supplement the up to 600,000 Victorians a week able to be vaccinated through GPs and pharmacists.
This comes after the recent ATAGI recommendation to bring forward the third dose interval to four months so as many people as possible are protected ahead of anticipated rising Omicron case numbers.
The additional sites, some of which will be walk-ups and open seven days a week 12 hours a day, will support the Commonwealth’s vaccination program alongside GPs and pharmacists.
Pop-ups and extended fixed community sites will include Caroline Springs Leisure Centre and Preston’s PANCH Health Centre, and regional locations including centres delivered with Swan Hill District Health and Kyneton District Health and Community Care. Other locations to support the scale-up are being explored.
The community organisations are part of the Victorian Government’s Vaccine Ambassadors program,including clinicians, faith, industry, sports and educational fields with small grants that help the organisations support their communities to get their third dose.
Partners include AMAZE, Carers Victoria, Chinese Community Council of Australia, Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, Cohealth, Deaf Victoria, Drummond St Services, Father Bob Maguire Foundation, Gateway Health, Mind Australia, Islamic Council of Australia, Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative, Sacred Heart Mission, Yooralla and the Hindu Council of Australia.
Currently, 11 per cent of Victorians 12 and over have already received a third dose of vaccine, including booster doses and third primary doses for immunocompromised people.
Acting Premier and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said: “we know a third dose is the best protection against COVID-19 – that’s why we’re making it as easy as possible for Victorians to get vaccinated as soon as they can.”
“We’re working closely with leaders from all parts of the community, making sure all Victorians have the support they need to get vaccinated.”
