Town hall clinic blitz
East Grampians Health Service will be running a three-day vaccination blitz in Ararat Town Hall this month.
A town hall clinic will be offering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for first, second and booster doses for people 16 and older as well as children’s vaccinations for a five to 11 age group.
The clinic will be on February 24, 25 and 26 from 8.30am to 4.30pm each day, with walk-in appointments only.
Health service chief executive Nick Bush encouraged people aged 16 and older yet to have their COVID-19 vaccination, first, second or booster doses, to take advantage of the three-day clinic.
“At this clinic we will also be offering vaccinations for children aged five to 11, so if you were unable to get your child vaccinated during the school holidays, the clinic will be the perfect opportunity to do so,” he said.
“The uptake of vaccinations in Ararat local government area during the past year has been magnificent and we are hoping this three-day clinic will be the incentive for people to get their booster dose, or even their first or second dose if they have been hesitant in the past.
“Being triple dosed is the best way to protect yourselves, your families and your community from serious illness.”
To late last week, 42 percent of children aged five to 11 in Ararat municipality had received their first vaccination, while about 38 percent of people 18 and older received their booster vaccination.
Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Tim Harrison said he was pleased the council was partnering with East Grampians Health Service to offer more residents the chance to get vaccinated.
“EGHS has done an incredibly difficult job in keeping our community safe through the pandemic and the council is supporting them further by providing the venue for the rapid vaccination rollout,” he said.
“The pop-up clinic at Ararat Town Hall provides a convenient location for residents to get vaccinated, making the vaccine more accessible.”
A regular EGHS Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic operates from Pyrenees House in Girdlestone Street from Monday to Friday, with pre-booked appointments available. Walk-in appointments are also available.
The Pyrenees House clinic will close during the three-day vaccination clinic at Ararat Town Hall.