Vax bus partnership rolls out in Geelong

BY ALISON MARTIN
VULNERABLE Geelong residents will have access to a free transport service to get COVID vaccinations thanks to a unique partnership – potentially the first of its kind in Australia.
With the help of $262,000 Community Health Support Program funding from the Federal Government, the City of Greater Geelong, Volunteering Geelong and Barwon Health will work together to make sure older community members, people with disability and people living in high-risk housing situations can travel to get the COVID jab.
Eligible residents will have the option to travel to Barwon Health’s North Geelong vaccination hub or local vaccination clinics.
Senator Sarah Henderson said the new service would “provide wonderful support to Geelong residents who are experiencing vulnerability or have limited transport options” and boost vaccination levels.
“I congratulate Volunteering Geelong on his important initiative which has worked closely with Barwon Health, the Western Victoria PHN and the city,” Senator Henderson said.
“Up to 4,000 community members will be eligible to be transported to their vaccination with this new service.
“Volunteering Geelong does so much good work in our community.”
“Its service will support up to 20 community members per day who will be transported in a COVIDSafe manner to vaccination hubs across our region.”
Volunteering Geelong will collect eligible residents via two eight-seater vehicles making two trips each day, one at 10.30am and a second at 2pm.
Each trip will be managed by a smart-booking system and with COVIDSafe measures in place.
Barwon Health is also supporting the program by assisting COVID-19 vaccination bookings and for referrals of community members experiencing vulnerability.
To check eligibility or for bookings, contact Volunteering Geelong on 5221 1377 during business hours or email [email protected].
Volunteering Geelong also wants to hear from anyone interested in being a volunteer driver on 5221 1377.