Bass Coast's Covid response stepped up

Bass Coast Health has stepped up its Covid efforts in response to a massive increase in demand for testing and vaccinations.

Extra days have been added to the new mass vaccination clinic schedule and a new drive-through testing site will open in Cowes tomorrow morning (May 28).

The new mass vaccination clinic which opened this week at Wonthaggi Town Hall was closed today, as it had only been scheduled to open Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

However staff at Wonthaggi Hospital administered 80 vaccines, effectively running a mini vaccination clinic, CEO Jan Child said.

The vaccination clinic set up at the Wonthaggi Town Hall administered over 200 vaccines in the first two days of operation and tomorrow's clinic is expected to double that.

"We have 200 people booked in for tomorrow and we're expecting walk-ins," Ms Child said, noting the clinic had 60-70 walk ins per day on the first two days of operation.

She said people who didn't make an appointment might experience a delay in receiving the vaccine and she has urged people to be patient.

The clinic will open at 9am.

Because of the increased demand, it will also open on Saturday, from 8.30am until 1pm, and will operate every day next week.

Ms Child confirmed the clinic hours would be extended as well.

"On Monday, it will open from 9am until 7pm, then for the rest of the week, it will open from 9am until 4pm, depending on demand."

She urged everyone who was eligible to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

Roll out extended

In line with the state government announcement today, 40 - 49 year-olds are now able to receive the Pfizer vaccine from the vaccination clinic.

However Ms Child stressed the Pfizer vaccine would only be given to those who met the eligibility criteria.

She said some people presenting at the clinic on Monday and Tuesday had demanded the Pfizer vaccine instead of AstraZeneca and it was extremely disappointing that some had become abusive.

"We have no ability to change the guidelines and can only give Pfizer to those who are eligible.

"We won't tolerate people being rude to our staff," she said.

Anyone wanting to book an appointment at the vaccination clinic should ring 1800 675 398.

Anyone attending the clinic must also bring  proof of identity (and age) and their Medicare card.

Testing times

The latest outbreak in Melbourne has also prompted a rush of people requesting a Covid test.

"There was significant demand today, especially in Wonthaggi. A surprising number of people went to the football,"  said Ms Child.

140 Covid tests were conducted at the Wonthaggi Drive Through site, with a further 44 at the Phillip Island Urgent Care Centre.

To cope with the increase demand, new arrangements have been put in place in Cowes.

"It's not easy to run tests at the Urgent Care Centre in winter, so we've worked with council and from tomorrow (Friday) a drive-through site will operate from the Transit Centre in Cowes," Ms Child said.

The new drive through testing site will operate from 9am until 3pm tomorrow and across the weekend.

"I encourage people to use it. If you have any symptoms at all, please come and be tested."

The Cowes drive through service will continue to operate seven days a week if there is sufficient demand.