Ballarat's mass vaccine clinic at the Mercure Hotel on Main Road will significantly expand its capacity from today (Monday, April 26).
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The new system will now allow walk-ins for anyone over 70, but those wishing to be vaccinated are being urged to book to avoid any delays.
The move, which was decided at a national cabinet on Thursday, is designed to boost the amount of people being vaccinated.
The CEO of Ballarat Health Services Dale Fraser said the AstraZeneca vaccination would be administered as recommended by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.
IN OTHER NEWS
Mr Fraser said the vaccination centre would open up to all those over 50 from Monday May 3, again offering the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Of the increased capacity from this Monday, Mr Fraser said: Bookings are preferred through the 1800 675 398 - number but walk-ins are also possible.
We would prefer you to come via booking so we can prevent unnecessary delays.
He acknowledged some teething troubles with the booking line, saying: We would encourage people to be patient and persevere. If you cant get through to the 1800 number, you are more than welcome to take walk-ins here.
He also urged all those who booked to ensure they kept their appointment.
The worst case scenario is that you book and dont turn up. Thats a wasted vaccine. We would implore people, if they are going to book, that they attend.
If they dont attend, thats a person that doesnt get the vaccine.
IN SUMMARY
FROM MONDAY APRIL 26: Vaccination Centre at the Mercure to offer AstraZeneca vaccine to all those over 70. Bookings are encouraged but walk-ins are possible. Previously over-70s were able to get bookings through their GP but this is expanding availability more broadly.
May 3: Vaccination centre is due to open up to all those over 50, again with the AstraZeneca vaccine. Thats the plan at the moment, Mr Fraser said. These things are fast-moving.
See Ballarat Health Services for more information: https://www.bhs.org.au/news-and-events/covid-19-information/vaccination/
TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT AT THE MERCURE MASS VACCINATION CLINIC: Call the state government run number: 1800 675 398
Note that vaccinations cannot be booked through Ballarat Health Services nor the Mercure.
CAPACITY AT THE MERCURE
The centre is currently open from 8am to 8pm. Mr Fraser said if demand increased the vaccination centre could extend its opening hours to include the weekend.
The maximum vaccination capacity at the Mercure is 1200 people a day, Mr Fraser said. Mr Fraser said they were currently running 200 a day, mostly for frontline workers.
Mr Fraser said more than there had been more than 7000 vaccinations done by Ballarat Health Services, including those administered at the Ballarat Base Hospital.
The UFS vaccine clinic will open Wednesday operate 9am-5.30pm on weekdays and 9am-4pm on weekends. Book online via www.ufs.com.au/vaccine. Patients who are unable to book online can phone 4320 0891, but there may be delays with high call volume.
To check eligibility visit covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/
