By Luke Voogt
Vaccination has ramped up at Geelong’s mass immunisation hub as part of a statewide push to protect people over 70-years-old against COVID-19.
The former Ford factory in Norlane was one of three high-volume vaccination centres where state government “opened the doors” to bookings for people over 70 on Wednesday.
High-risk priority groups from the Commonwealth’s 1A and 1B cohorts can now make a booking at the Norlane hub.
Earlier this week state government announced the AstraZeneca vaccine would be available to these cohorts “following the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s (ATAGI) latest recommendations”.
On Wednesday state government also made the AstraZeneca vaccine available to eligible people under 50 who choose to receive it.
The move comes after the ATAGI recommended the AstraZeneca vaccine for people over 50 due to an approximately one in 200,000 risk of blood clots from the jab.
“Our medical experts’ recommendations obviously impacted the national rollout,” Health Minister Martin Foley said earlier this week.
“But here in Victoria, we’ve worked around the clock to find solutions to get vaccines in people’s arms as quickly and safely as possible.
“By Wednesday, our health professionals will have everything they need to administer AstraZeneca to eligible Victorians of all ages, and they will continue to do so to the highest standards of safety and quality.
“While this expansion provides more options for Victorians over the age of 70, it’s expected most people in this category will continue to receive it locally with their trusted GP – that’s something we’re pleased to encourage.”
Where supply is available, eligible people aged under 50 can also continue to receive the Pfizer vaccine.
More than 160,000 Victorians have received the Pfizer vaccine through a workforce-based appointments model.
Local health authorities have so far administered more than 20,000 doses the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines combined in the Barwon South West region, according to Barwon Health.
The Norlane vaccination hub has the capacity to vaccinate 2000 people per day subject to bookings and vaccine availability.
Bookings can be made to get vaccinated at the Norlane hub by phoning 1800 675 398 or online at barwonhealth.org.au/coronavirus.
Further details: coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine.
