Vaccine blitz for booster shots from 21-24 January, with more walk-up clinics available

20 January 2022

• All
• COVID-19

The Government have announced another vaccine blitz for Victorians from Friday 21 January to Monday 24 January at state-run clinics, to accommodate the large number of people over the age of 18 now eligible for the booster shot.

Victorians over the age of 18 will now be eligible to get their vital third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine after three months from their last COVID-19 vaccination.

To support an anticipated increase in demand this weekend, more workers, more cubicles, more walk-up capacity and 60,000 more appointments will be available at key vaccination centres.

Hours at major hubs including Sandown, Bendigo and La Trobe University have all been extended specifically for the blitz, which will run from this Friday to next Monday, with key clinics also offering free ice creams in collaboration with Unilever.

Walk-up vaccinations will be available and are encouraged at a number of state-run centres, including:

• Royal Exhibition Building (walk-up access available 8:00am to 8:00pm daily during the blitz)
• Latrobe University Bundoora (walk-up 8:00am to 8:00pm)
• Sandown Racecourse (walk-up 9:00am to 6:30pm Saturday and Sunday)
• Dandenong Plaza (walk-up 9:00am to 5:00pm Saturday and Sunday)
• Frankston’s Bayside Centre (walk-up 9:30am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday)
• Sunshine Hospital (walk-up 8:00am to 8:00pm)
• Bendigo Vaccination Hub (walk-up 9:00am to 8:00pm)
• Ballarat Mercure (walk-up 8:30am to 3:00pm Sunday)

The effort will be supported by extra cubicles and the deployment of dozens of extra vaccinators. Hot weather contingencies are in effect, including shade and bottled water supply at key sites.

The rest of Victoria’s large state-run network will also be operating, with thousands of appointments available. All sites except Dandenong Plaza and Ballarat Mercure will also offer both Pfizer and Moderna doses.

What if I have tested positive for COVID-19?

Government guidance suggests that people who have had COVID-19 can be vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, including the booster. There is no requirement to delay vaccination unless they have not recovered from the acute illness and people with prolonged symptoms from COVID-19 beyond 6 months should seek medical advice.

People might choose to be vaccinated if they:

• are significantly immunocompromised and may be at greater risk of getting COVID-19 again
• have a job that requires them to be vaccinated
• have a job that puts them at greater risk of being exposed to COVID-19.

Those people who have tested positive to COVID-19 and have recovered from the illness are recommended to receive the booster dose within the mandated deadlines.