Lilydale community vaccination centre

Community vaccination hubs will expand to reach vulnerable communities. 231848_08

By Mikayla van Loon

A community vaccination centre is set to be established in Lilydale as part of an expansion to Victorian coronavirus vaccination hubs.

The Lilydale centre is just one of five new community centres which will be placed in a targeted area for those most vulnerable to coronavirus.

The State government has recognised that those who require the vaccine in phase 1a and 1b may not be able to travel long distances to receive their injection.

“Our targeted approach will mean we’re reaching even more of the cohorts and communities we need to,” Health Minister Martin Foley said.

Mobile vaccination vans and pop-up locations will also be available as part of this expansion to help reach those communities.

Both Mr Foley and Acting Premier James Merlino are pleased with the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination program in Victoria.

“Victoria’s vaccine rollout is time, on target and on track to deliver 300,000 total doses by the middle of May,” Mr Merlino said.

As at 7 April, over 120,000 doses of the vaccine had been administered at state commissioned sites to health workers, emergency services and public sector aged care workers.

In another two weeks, the State government estimates that all public residential aged care facilities will have been visited to administer the first dose of the vaccine.

Phase 1b is also underway with 40,000 doses administered to date.

Other community vaccination centres will be located in Prahran, Broadmeadows, West Melbourne and Deer Park, as well as two new high-volume centres at the Melbourne Showgrounds and the Mercure Ballarat.