Pfizer vaccines are available from a mass vaccination hub at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre (PRACC) from today, while a new walk-in AstraZeneca vaccination clinic is set to open in Epping tomorrow.
Northern Health is running the PRACC vaccination hub, which is also offering AstraZeneca.
The clinic is accepting bookings and walk-ups.
DPV Health, which had previously been running a vaccination clinic at PRACC, will open a new clinic at Epping Memorial Hall.
The hall was previously being used as a COVID-19 testing site.
Whittlesea council chief executive Craig Lloyd said the expansion of PRACC to a mass vaccination site would boost the ability to vaccinate as many people, as quickly as possible.
“This program will make a huge difference to the number of people able to get the vaccine, with a large number of vaccinations expected to be administered daily,” Mr Lloyd said.
“PRACC is ideally suited for this purpose. It has the necessary floor space and the space for secure fridges and freezers legally required to store the vaccines, and it is easily accessible from public transport.
“Ensuring everyone can get vaccinated when they are eligible is the best way to protect our residents against COVID-19, and that’s the priority for the City of Whittlesea.”
Mr Lloyd said the decision to host a mass vaccination hub at PRACC meant the council had cancelled all bookings for the centre for the remainder of the year because the vaccination program required full use of the facility.
“This was a difficult decision but in the interests of public health, this is the right decision,” he said.
The PRACC hub will be open from 8.30am to 5pm daily.
To book your vaccination: https://vaccination.nh.org.au/ or https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/book-your-vaccine-appointment
