Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service’s mobile COVID-19 vaccine van will be in Gin Gin next week on its journey to bring outreach clinics to as many communities as possible.
WBHHS Vaccine Lead Fiona Sewell said the vaccine van offered Pfizer and was open to all community members aged 12 years and above – no appointment was necessary, you can just walk in.
“In the coming fortnight, our van is heading to Mount Perry, Monto, Gin Gin, Eidsvold and Biggenden enabling first, second and third doses to take place in these communities,” Ms Sewell said.
“Third doses are available to people who have had their second vaccination more than six months ago.
“I encourage people in these towns and their surrounding districts to come along to receive their jab when the vaccine van stops by their community.
“Vaccination remains the best way to protect ourselves and our loved ones against the impacts of COVID-19, including serious illness or death from the virus.
“I think we’ve made terrific progress towards reaching our vaccination milestones in Wide Bay.
“But we need to keep up this good work – Delta is on our doorstep and we can’t keep it out forever.
“We urgently need all of our regional residents who are not yet vaccinated to come forward for their COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible.”
The schedule for the vaccine van is:
• Tuesday, 16 November – Gin Gin Hospital between 11.40am and 6pm
• Wednesday, 17 November – Gin Gin Hospital between 7.45am and 2.20pm
Ms Sewell said the mobile vaccine van, a repurposed dental van, had proved its weight in gold in enabling WBHHS to maximise COVID-19 vaccination in its smaller communities.
“We've got our portable vaccine fridge that carries the vaccines – there’s a calibrated thermometer that sits inside it and logs the data so we can keep them between two and eight degrees,” she said
“The van, which runs off a generator or direct power supply and even has internet, offers a dedicated, quiet space for us to prepare and administer the vaccines.
“With constant travel, the team has fine-tuned the process of packing up and packing down,” she said.
To find what days and hours your local fixed or rural vaccination location is open, visit: www.health.qld.gov.au/widebay/html/covid-19/vaccine.
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