First Shire COVID vac site announced

THE old Bannockburn Shire Hall is set for a second life as a temporary COVID-19 vaccination clinic from next month and it’ll be run by the Bannockburn Surgery general practice.

Eligible Golden Plains residents will be able to book online to for the jab and Bannockburn Surgery co-director Dr John Henderson said his team is expecting to deliver between 80 and 100 AstraZeneca vaccines each week.

“We want to vaccinate anyone that wants a vaccination for coronavirus, and we want make it an efficient, fast-throughput service,” he said.

“It’s an opportunity to provide a game-changing intervention for such a nasty pandemic.

“Unfortunately, the numbers we’re receiving initially are small, but we’re hoping and expecting them to ramp up significantly, so that people don’t have to go elsewhere or travel far to get great access to COVID vaccination.”

High-risk patients will be seen first, which includes people who have organ transplants, those with blood cancers, those who are experiencing chemo or radiotherapy treatments, or are impacted by immunosuppressants.

“We’re particularly targeting these people in the first stages. A large proportion of our patients fit into the 1B vaccination wave, which includes people over 70 and some adults with specified health conditions,” Dr Henderson said.

“We want to make the service as smooth as possible. Please be patient because your turn will come.”

Bannockburn Surgery practice manager Renee Trotter said a target trial would begin this week, with the vaccinations of staff members. It is planned that the vaccination clinic will then open once a week.

“If you have any questions, speak to your GP specifically before you book online. Only arrive on site if you have an appointment, you must wear a mask, be well and be asymptomatic,” she said.

“This is an awesome location with easy access, parking on both sides, and shops close by, so people can support local businesses when they visit.”

Bannockburn Surgery has secured use of the old council chambers for at least six months following the Shire’s second expression of interest period which called for parties with ideas to reactivate the space.

The vaccination clinic will also create jobs, with three additional nurses, a doctor, and receptionists on site during vaccination delivery.

Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Helena Kirby said all the municipality’s communities are welcome at the clinic.

“Our councilor group is very excited to see this space being utilised by the Bannockburn Surgery,” she said.

“They’ve got the lease until the end of the year, so once people within the community see how it’s been working, hopefully they might like to express their interest for next time.”

Visit bannockburnsurgery.com.au for an appointment. If you need assistance booking online, ask a relative, carer or friend to assist you.