Pop-up flu clinic heads to Lara

FOLLOWING the success of its biggest pop-up flu clinic in six years, Geelong Mobile Vaccination Services will bring its mobile vaccination program to Lara later this month.

The Geelong-based provider is expanding its winter outreach program after almost 200 people attended a recent pop-up clinic in Torquay, many of them first-time clients.

Registered nurse immuniser Hannah McFadden said several attendees praised the convenience and accessibility of the service.

“They just said it was really nice and liked that it was close to where they were,” she said.

The pop-up clinics are designed to make annual flu vaccinations easier to access, particularly for families who can attend together.

Demand for the service continues to grow. After vaccinating about 1,800 people throughout 2025, Geelong Mobile Vaccination Services has already reached 2,700 people this year.

The clinics are also offering the new nasal spray influenza vaccine for children and teenagers aged two to 17.

Many visitors have also enjoyed meeting Juma, the service’s therapy dog, who helps ease anxiety for those feeling nervous about being vaccinated.

While flu vaccination rates remain lower than health authorities would like, annual immunisation can help protect vulnerable members of the community and reduce pressure on emergency departments during winter.

Geelong Mobile Vaccination Services also runs RSV vaccination days for residents of lifestyle villages.

The Lara pop-up clinic will be held on 20 June, with a further clinic scheduled in Torquay on 27 June.

Bookings can be made at geelongmobilevaccinationservices.as.me