by The state government has thrown open the doors at all of its COVID-19 vaccination centres to every Victorian aged over 50, as part of a mammoth, nationwide inoculation effort.
Health authorities have been pleading with people eligible for the vaccine to roll up their sleeves for the jab, with COVID-19 response commander Jeroen Weimar last week revealing the state was delivering only a fraction of the vaccine it was capable of, despite six mass vaccination hubs open to the public.
The mass vaccination centre at Melbournes Royal Exhibition Building.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui
Health Minister Martin Foley on Sunday announced 22 state-run vaccination sites will be open to the eligible public from Monday.
The best thing we can do to support Victorias recovery from COVID-19 is to take the opportunity to be vaccinated as soon as we are can, Mr Foley said.
Were proud to work with GPs to support the Commonwealths vaccination program in the only way we can.
People aged over 50 are being vaccinated sooner to speed up the delayed vaccine program, which was dealt a significant blow after the countrys top immunisation experts recommended the AstraZeneca jab not be given to people aged under 50 because of a rare but serious blood clotting condition.
Outbreaks at hotel quarantine in Perth, and the catastrophic coronavirus situation unfolding in India, has highlighted the need for a sense of urgency to get the population vaccinated, Mr Weimar said last week in pleading with people to get immunised.
I appreciate that were incredibly fortunate here in Victoria and in Australia that were not living with what feels like the daily threat of COVID, he said.
