You can now get vaxxed from your car at the former Bunnings in Melton.
Victoria has launched the first drive-thru vaccination clinic in Melbourne in an effort to speed up its slow vaccine rollout.
At the state’s daily coronavirus press conference on Sunday, August 8, Premier Daniel Andrews made the announcement as the state recorded 11 new locally acquired cases during the state’s sixth lockdown.
“We believe, that is Australia’s first drive-through vaccination clinic and I’m sure that will be very popular and busy also,” Mr Andrews said on Sunday.
What you need to know
- Australia’s first drive-thru vaccination clinic opens
- The clinic is located at the former Bunnings site at 149 Barries Road in Melton
- Drivers will still need to make an appointment prior to driving up to get the jab
Stay up to date with what’s happening in Melbourne here.
Launching today, the new vaccination site has set up shop at the former Bunnings site at 149 Barries Road in Melton, in Melbourne’s west and will be operated by Western Health. The drive-thru clinic will complement existing state vaccination centres and general practices that are participating in the Commonwealth vaccination program.
Ahead of getting vaxxed at the drive-thru, drivers and passengers will be screened for eligibility and symptoms at the carpark entry before proceeding, in batches of ten cars, to an identification check-in point. They will be instructed to park before receiving their vaccination and will remain in their car for the 15-minute observation period before exiting the site.
You will still need to make an appointment for the vaccination drive-thru, which can be made online here or the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.
Alongside the news of the drive-thru, Andrews also revealed that anyone aged 18 to 39 years old who provides informed consent will now be able to get vaccinated at Victorian’s state-run vaccination centres from Monday. In another effort to get Victorian vaccinated faster, the AstraZeneca jab will now be available to 18 to 39-year-olds hubs such as the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne Showgrounds, Kilmore District Health (Outpatients Building), Sandown Racecourse and Bayside Shopping Centre in Frankston, among other state-run vaccination centres.
Of course, it will still be available at participating GPs, respiratory clinics and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.
If you’re opting for the AstraZeneca vaccine (whether it be for the drive-thru, your GP, or a state-run clinic, you will still need to give a doctor your informed consent before you go ahead and you’ll have to sign a document showing you’re aware of the risks. Currently, the COVID-19 Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine is the preferred vaccine for those aged 16 to 59 years, but the AstraZeneca vaccine can be provided to people aged 18 to 59 years of age. As part of informed consent for each dose, people who are considering being vaccinated with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca should be aware that TTS is a very rare potential complication. Your suitability to receive the vaccination will be checked again at your appointment and you will be advised of the possible symptoms of TTS and when to seek medical advice.
For more information about Victoria’s vaccine rollout, head to the Victorian Department of Health website. You can read the Premier’s announcement here.
