Sarah Oliver
A mass vaccination hub will return to the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre (PRACC) in South Morang from January 5 to support the effort to deliver thousands of third doses in coming weeks.
Northern Health will partner with the City of Whittlesea for a second time to run the clinic in the Eucalyptus Room at PRACC as well as a specialised children’s vaccination clinic from 10 January at the Civic Centre in South Morang.
Chief Executive Craig Lloyd said Whittlesea was pleased to be able to support the continued vaccination rollout.
“We know with the new Omicron variant, third doses are very important in helping to protect our community so it’s important that we make accessing vaccination as easy as possible,” he said.
Changes to clinical guidelines around vaccination mean that unlike last time, the theatre at PRACC can also operate in conjunction with the clinic.
“We are pleased to be able to continue to offer this important vaccination program while still allowing our community to use theatre facilities at PRACC,” Mr Lloyd said.
“When the mass vaccination hub was open from June to December more than 240,000 doses were administered which played an important part in helping our community to stay safe.
“We hope our community will make the most of this opportunity to get their third dose close to home and of course if they haven’t been vaccinated yet, to join the more than 90% of City of Whittlesea residents who are double vaxxed.”
The children’s vaccination clinic, operating from January 10, will be a dedicated child-friendly space with entertainment and activities to make the process less stressful for children.
“Getting children vaccinated before they return to school is an important part of protecting our whole community, along with other measures like masks, distancing and good ventilation,” Mr Lloyd said.
Acting Chief Operating Officer of Northern Health Debra Bourne said: “We are pleased to be partnering again with the City of Whittlesea in this program to keep both adults and kids safe in the community”.
The PRACC vaccination centre will be open 8am-3.30pm seven days a week. Limited walk-ups available subject to supply.
