The push to get Ballarat's aged care and disability workers vaccinated is up and running, with a blitz at the Mercure Hotel's vaccine hub.
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Announced by the state government on Tuesday, eligible workers in private aged care facilities and the residential disability sector will be given a priority lane at mass vaccination centres until Sunday, to help protect vulnerable residents.
For aged care worker Nathan Brewer, the blitz was a good excuse to get out of the house - he came to the Ballarat vaccination hub from Camperdown.
"I thought on my day off I'll come down and get the jab," he said.
"Take the advantage of the opportunity while it's out there - do your part, it'll get us back on the right track to a bit of normality."
Michelle Galvin, another aged care worker, received her second dose on Thursday.
"It's like tetanus shot, just hurt for a second, that's it - thankfully I'd already booked," she said.
"Do it not just for yourself, but for everybody else - especially if you're working with older people or younger children who can't protect themselves, do it for others."
Adrian Mills works in aged care at BHS - he received his first jab on Thursday.
"I jumped at the chance, i was in there within 20 minutes - even the other line for general walk-ins was moving pretty steadily," he said.
"I felt quite comfortable, once you got in the little pod, it was all over in a few minutes, just a few questions and the jab, then you sit around for fifteen minutes and off you go.
"I think the fact that this COVID nuisance is going to be around for awhile yet, it's a good idea to get vaccinated - there's no harm in getting it done as far as I can see, and it protects others, especially health workers."
Amber Thompson is an ACU student who is working at Mercy Place Ballarat.
"I think in the near future, they'll be mandating for a lot more healthcare workers to get vaccinated, so it's best to get onto it early," she said.
"The wait time was a lot less than I expected - if you've got the opportunity to get it, you should be getting out there and doing it."
Disability care worker Michelle Feltham said it was "pretty straightforward" getting in and out.
"Go do it, go get your free Chupa-Chups," she said with a laugh.
Walk-ups are encouraged for targeted aged and disability care workers at the Ballarat vaccine hub, while others can book ahead to save time online - people aged between 40 and 49 should phone the state vaccine hotline to book an appointment on 1800 675 398.
UFS Dispensaries acting chief executive Tarlei Deacon added the Astra-Zeneca vaccine is also available from the UFS clinic - phone 4320 0891 to book a time.
"As we've seen in Victoria in the last week or so, COVID-19 is still very much a threat to our way of life in Australia," she said in a statement. "Infection can spread very rapidly and widely and vaccination is our best defence against this disease.
"The more people in the community that are vaccinated, the better chance we have of slowing the spread and severity of COVID-19 and returning to our normal activities more quickly.
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"I encourage anyone who is eligible to receive a vaccine to do so as soon as practical."
To find out more about vaccines and who's eligible, visit the Victorian Department of Heath and Human Services' website.
5-DAY BLITZ
Aged care and Disability workers
Any aged care or disability worker (public and private) within the Grampians region seeking their COVID vaccination can attend the clinic until Sunday 6 June without an appointment.
This includes those seeking their Pfizer (49 years and under) or AstraZeneca (50 years and over).
9am and 4pm Monday to Friday
*walk-ins will cease at 3pm if wait times exceed 2hours.
9am and 3.30pm Saturday and Sunday
*walk-ins will cease at 1.30pm if wait times exceed 2hours.
You must provide photo ID, your Medicare card, AND proof of where you work. Without this ID you will not be vaccinated.
IF YOU HAVE ANY COVID SYMPTOMS DO NOT ATTEND A VACCINATION CLINIC.
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