Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre (PICAL) has joined forces with the state government to help promote Covid testing and vaccination.

Working with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), a PICAL spokesperson said it was promoting activities that reduce coronavirus vaccine misinformation or hesitancy, and which encourage the uptake of vaccines among priority groups across regional Victoria.

“PICAL will be regularly posting online up to date reliable information about where, when and how to get tested or find vaccinations,” they said.

The information will be published on roadside signage on Church Street in front of the PICAL buildings, on social media, on window posters in local shops and local papers.

The details will include:

• Availability of vaccinations and whether appointments are required
• Vaccination brands, for initial vaccinations and for boosters, available locally
• Availability of Rapid Antigen Tests
• Home based treatments for covid symptoms and non-urgent positive cases
• Percentage uptake of double vaccinations and boosters among Phillip Island’s population
• Local Covid Infection case numbers

“We are now liaising with all local Phillip Island and San Remo GP clinics, chemists and walk-in hub providers of vaccinations and RATs on a daily basis in order to provide a central point where all this information is available,” the PICAL spokesperson said.

“There are still a large number of infections on Phillip Island, and across Victoria the percentage of third booster vaccinations is still very low, so this local initiative by PICAL and DFFH is aimed at promoting vaccination uptake and building trust with the community.”