ACCESS to the Pfizer vaccine will soon be offered in Sale to eligible people for the first time.
Wellington’s first COVID-19 vaccine community clinic will open May 24 at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex to vaccinate people aged over 50 and healthcare and high risk workers in the Phase 1a and 1b priority groups, using the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines, depending on eligibility.
Established by the Gippsland Region Public Health Unit based at Latrobe Regional Hospital, the clinic will have the capacity to vaccinate up to 400 people a day, depending on vaccine supplies.
LRH information and regional services executive director Jon Millar said the Sale clinic would gradually scale up operations when it opened in the week beginning May 24.
“While we’ve learnt a lot from running our community clinic in Traralgon, we appreciate this is a new venue for our team so we plan to take our time in building our capacity and schedule of appointments day by day,” he said.
“Initially, the clinic will be open three days a week.”
Mr Millar said the public health unit vaccination team would have the support of Central Gippsland Health staff to run the new clinic.
“We expect up to 10 qualified staff at the GRSC each day,” he added.
The clinic will administer the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to adults aged over 50.
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will continue to be offered to eligible healthcare, emergency and high risk workers.
The Sale facility will be one of six community clinics in Gippsland.
A clinic is already operating successfully at the Traralgon Racecourse, while another in Wonthaggi will open in a fortnight.
The Traralgon clinic has administered vaccines to about 1000 people since it opened on April 14.
Bookings for the new community clinic at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex at Cobains Rd, Sale, will open this Monday, May 17, and can be made by phoning 1800 675 398.
The clinic will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays each week from May 24, from 9.30am to 3pm (subject to change).
Walk-in appointments will not be possible during the first week of operation.
With the opening of the new community clinic, there are now several options for people wanting to access COVID-19 vaccinations in Wellington Shire, which include the Inglis Medical Centre respiratory clinic in Sale, along with some local GPs and pharmacies.
People can check if they are eligible for vaccination by going to www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covid-19-vaccine-eligibility-checker, where they can go on to find their local clinic options and book.
People who have concerns or questions about COVID vaccinations should speak with their GP.
