Children’s vax program underway

BALLARAT Health Services’ paediatric COVID-19 vaccination program for five-to-eleven-year-olds began on Monday morning at the Mercure-based community clinic.

Approximately 250 children received their first dose, and parents who were eligible for booster shots received those at the same time.

Executive director primary and community care Craig Wilding said the clinic has an enchanted forest-themed area – separate to the adult booster space – to engage the children, and make the experience as pleasant and comfortable as possible for them.

“We had the same amount of appointments booked on Tuesday as Monday, and have seen families come through having a great experience,” he said.

“We’ve got good vaccination supply and good numbers of paediatric-trained staff to support the demand that we do have.

“The team have done an amazing job putting it all together.”

Six-year-old Audrey received her first COVID-19 vaccine dose on Tuesday morning and was happy to get the process started, accompanied by her dad Stuart Nimmo.

“Getting vaccinated is really important for us as a family, and we’ve taken it seriously from the get-go,” Mr Nimmo said.

“We want to do as much as we can to protect ourselves.”

Grampians Public Health Unit vaccination program operations director Lisa Oro said the clinic was fully booked out this week, and into next week.

Appointments can be made for multiple children at once via 1800 675 398, and this will be easier than booking online for families with kids that don’t have their own email addresses.