Local health services reach vaccs milestones

BOTH Ballarat Community Health and Ballarat Health Services reached milestones in their COVID-19 vaccination campaigns last week.

BCH’s GP clinics ticked over 3000 vaccine deliveries, while BHS administered over 60,000 through the Grampians Public Health Unit, and its regional partners.

BCH executive manager of client services Joanne Gell said approximately 250 more doses have been supplied to the community since.

“We’ve also been working with high-risk settings, like rooming houses, disability housing and public housing, so since our vaccination campaign began, we’ve administered 640 vaccinations through those settings as well,” she said.

“We’ve got a commitment to working with vulnerable members of our community that might struggle to access vaccinations.

“We’re going out to them, rather than expecting them to come into the clinic. That’s something we’re doing in collaboration with the Public Health Unit.”

Ms Gell said vaccination appointments at BCH clinics in Sebastopol, Lucas and Smythesdale have almost always been fully booked. A “whole-community effort” is evident.

“This is a positive contribution we can make to get our community back on track and living a normal life. Being vaccinated is a key part of opening up and coming back to normality,” she said.

“We’re committed to having the resources to play our part, but it requires effort on the part of other health services and the public, coming forward when they are eligible,” she said.

BHS executive director primary and community care Craig Wilding thanked the Grampians Public Health Unit and regional health care partners for their “hard work and dedication” throughout the vaccination roll-out.

“This has been a fantastic effort for our region, from both our administering teams and members of the public who are rolling up their sleeves to be vaccinated,” he said.

“We are welcoming members of our community aged 60 and over for walk-in appointments for the AstraZeneca vaccine at the Ballarat Community Vaccination Clinic, and we are able to open additional capacity in accordance with supply as required.”

Contact 1800 675 398 or visit bhs.org.au. BCH is encouraging disability carers to come forward and book in a vaccination. Visit bchc.org.au or call 5338 4500.