BALLARAT Health Services\u2019 paediatric COVID-19 vaccination program for five-to-eleven-year-olds began on Monday morning at the Mercure-based community clinic.<\/p>\n
Approximately 250 children received their first dose, and parents who were eligible for booster shots received those at the same time.<\/p>\n
Executive director primary and community care Craig Wilding said the clinic has an enchanted forest-themed area – separate to the adult booster space – to engage the children, and make the experience as pleasant and comfortable as possible for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had the same amount of appointments booked on Tuesday as Monday, and have seen families come through having a great experience,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got good vaccination supply and good numbers of paediatric-trained staff to support the demand that we do have.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team have done an amazing job putting it all together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Six-year-old Audrey received her first COVID-19 vaccine dose on Tuesday morning and was happy to get the process started, accompanied by her dad Stuart Nimmo.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting vaccinated is really important for us as a family, and we\u2019ve taken it seriously from the get-go,\u201d Mr Nimmo said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to do as much as we can to protect ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grampians Public Health Unit vaccination program operations director Lisa Oro said the clinic was fully booked out this week, and into next week.<\/p>\n