BOTH Ballarat Community Health and Ballarat Health Services reached milestones in their COVID-19 vaccination campaigns last week.<\/p>\n
BCH\u2019s GP clinics ticked over 3000 vaccine deliveries, while BHS administered over 60,000 through the Grampians Public Health Unit, and its regional partners.<\/p>\n
BCH executive manager of client services Joanne Gell said approximately 250 more doses have been supplied to the community since.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’ve also been working with high-risk settings, like rooming houses, disability housing and public housing, so since our vaccination campaign began, we\u2019ve administered 640 vaccinations through those settings as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a commitment to working with vulnerable members of our community that might struggle to access vaccinations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going out to them, rather than expecting them to come into the clinic. That\u2019s something we\u2019re doing in collaboration with the Public Health Unit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Gell said vaccination appointments at BCH clinics in Sebastopol, Lucas and Smythesdale have almost always been fully booked. A \u201cwhole-community effort\u201d is evident.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
BHS executive director primary and community care Craig Wilding thanked the Grampians Public Health Unit and regional health care partners for their \u201chard work and dedication\u201d throughout the vaccination roll-out.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n