BENDIGO Health\u2019s mass vaccination centre has seen plenty of activity since the start of lockdown last Friday.<\/p>\n
One of those inline was Jacinta Allan, Member for Bendigo East, who received her first dose of the COVID vaccine on Monday and said it\u2019s great to see the clinic busy.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving become eligible on Friday as part of the 40 to 49-year-old age group, I was really keen to get here and get vaccinated as quickly as possible and I\u2019m really encouraging all regional Victorians to take the opportunity if your eligible to come and get the jab,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Bendigo Health team are doing a wonderful job, moving people through as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is really terrific to see how the local community has responded.\u201d<\/p>\n
The clinic vaccinated 780 people last Sunday after accepting walk-ins, however chair of Bendigo Health Bob Cameron said online bookings are essential.<\/p>\n
On Monday, Mr Cameron said while the clinic\u2019s supply of the vaccine was originally quite high, the lockdown has \u201cdramatically changed\u201d that.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the moment we have loads of Pfizer, but we\u2019ve only got a few thousand AstraZeneca,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Bendigo Health is urging people who wish to be vaccinated to register online using their email, as the phone system has been overwhelmed.<\/p>\n
\u201c[If they go to the] Bendigo Health website, register, they will get an email and they can then book a spot,\u201d Mr Cameron said. \u201cIf they book a spot then they will get top priority.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Cameron also said there had been some concerns raised over the lack of supply of COVID-19 vaccine some regional Victorian GPs have received.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re only getting small numbers and we would love to see, to take some pressure off this centre, those GPs getting far more, pharmacies being opened up,\u201d Mr Cameron said. \u201c<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we\u2019re going to vaccinate the population and do it quickly, we want as many points as possible for that to occur.\u201d<\/p>\n