The vaccination clinic at the Goods Shed in Warragul has extended its hours and local pharmacies have joined the cause as the COVID-19 vaccination programs ramps up in West Gippsland.
It follows last week’s announcement that Pfizer vaccines would be offered to 16 to 39-year-olds.
The Warragul Vaccination Clinic, run by West Gippsland Healthcare Group, has extended its hours to Tuesday to Friday from 9am and 3.30pm as well as Saturdays from 9am to 12noon starting this week.
WGHG CEO Dan Weeks said the additional opening hours and increase in vaccine allocation would enable the clinic to vaccinate over 1100 people a week.
Gippsland Southern Health Service is expecting to have 540 Pfizer doses available each week at its Leongatha clinic.
In addition, anyone aged 18 and over can choose to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine at pharmacies in Warragul, Drouin and Trafalgar.
Chemist Discount Centre in Warragul delivered its first COVID-19 vaccinations last week with pharmacist Janelle Hartman saying, “it’s another accessible service we can offer the community”.
She said the vaccine was free and an appointment would only take 15 to 20 minutes, including the waiting time.
Bookings can be made between 10am and 4pm on alternating days, Monday and Thursday this week and Wednesday and Friday next week.
Priceline Pharmacy in Warragul will deliver its first AstraZeneca vaccinations on Friday, with bookings open Fridays 10am to 4pm and Saturdays 1.30pm to 3.30pm via priceline.com.au.
Drouin Amcal Pharmacy, Chemist Discount Centre in Drouin and Trafalgar Pharmacy are also offering vaccines.
Another option for COVID-19 vaccines is your local GP clinic.
With more people now eligible for Pfizer, Mr Weeks urged patience for those trying to book an appointment via the hotline and website.
“We are asking people to be patient in planning for and making their vaccination booking as they may have a wait time due to increase in demand. The sooner they make an appointment, the sooner they can be vaccinated,” he said.
Currently people aged 16 to 59 years are eligible to book for a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The AstraZeneca vaccine is available for those aged over 60 years.
People aged 18 to 39 years who have already booked for their first vaccine dose at a vaccination centre will be offered the Pfizer vaccine. They do not need to re-book or change their existing vaccine appointment.
People who have already had a first dose will be offered a second dose of the same vaccine brand.
To make an appointment at a community clinic such as the Goods Shed in the Warragul Railway Precinct carpark, call the hotline on 1800 675 398 or visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/book-your-vaccine-appointment.