Top marks for cohealth’s School pop-up vaccinations – six schools in six weekends

Released on 16th November 2021

cohealth has visited six schools in six weekends across Melbourne’s north and west helping 3,277 people get vaccinated, thanks to the Victorian Government’s school pop-up vaccination program (which involved 70 school pop-ups in metro and regional areas). 

The rolling roadshow of cohealth pop-up clinics saw school auditoriums, theatres and basketball courts in areas with low vaccination rates turned into vaccination clinics each weekend. 

““Through these clinics we were able to help students, families, teachers and the wider community to access the COVID vaccine in a safe, familiar environment,” said Sally Wilcox, cohealth COVID vaccination project manager. 

“We’re grateful to these communities for welcoming us so warmly, and turning up in the thousands to help Victoria reach our 90 per cent vaccination targets,” “Through these clinics we were able to help students, families, teachers and the wider community to access the COVID vaccine in a safe, familiar environment,” she said. 

Minister for Health Martin Foley said in a State Government media release, “This program has successfully helped thousands of Victorians get vaccinated and now we are on track to hit 90 per cent double dose vaccinated and return to normal life for those who are fully vaccinated.”  

cohealth School pop-up vaccination clinics’ snapshot: 

  • 3,277 people vaccinated via six schools 
  • 32 per cent came for their first dose; 68 per cent came for their second dose 
  • 14 per cent did not have a Medicare card 
  • 1-in-4 people who were vaccinated were in their teens 
  • 16 per cent had a preferred language other than English 

Top 5 ethnicities 

  • Australian 
  • Afghanistan 
  • Indian 
  • Chinese 
  • Iraqi 

The program saw  has helped thousands of Victorians get vaccinated, with pop-ups this weekend at Alkira Secondary College, Cranbourne North and Brookside College P-9, Caroline Springs marking the completion of the highly successful program. 

In September, the Government announced a state-wide community pop-up vaccination program, including 70 metropolitan and regional school pop-ups – bringing vaccines to areas that needed them most. 

The program has delivered more than 34,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses, including 15,000 first doses and 19,000 second doses.   

These pop-ups helped protect VCE students before their exams and made it easier for people 12 and over to get vaccinated, while Victorians with disabilities were given priority access at more than 90 per cent of sites. 

The Government joined with GPs, community health services and local public health units and formed strong partnerships with local government, small business and industry, emergency services, surrounding schools and early learning services, sporting clubs, faith-based organisations and culturally and linguistically diverse groups to ensure these pop-ups were a convenient and accessible option for Victorians. 

The Government continues to make it easier for Victorians to get vaccinated by focusing on areas and community groups that need support to get this life-saving vaccine. 

Thanks to everyone who has rolled up their sleeve, Victoria is on track to hit our target of 90 per cent of people aged 12 years and over fully vaccinated. 

We expect to hit this milestone by 24 November, which will see a significant easing of restrictions, including caps and density limits removed in all settings and masks mandatory in only some high-risk indoor settings.  

Victoria continues to lead the way on vaccines, delivering more than 4.75 million doses through state-run services – more than anywhere else in Australia.   

To book your vaccine today or find a walk-in centre, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccination-centres for more information. Victorians can also book an appointment through their GP or pharmacy. 

Quote attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino  

“We have delivered what we set out to do by running 70 school pop-ups to make vaccination easily accessible to students, teachers, families and communities.”  

 

— Ends — 

 

More information: email media@cohealth.org.au or call 0499 101 638

More on cohealth: 

cohealth is a Victorian not-for-profit community health organisation that strives to improve health and wellbeing for all. It provides universal access to services as well as targeted programs and assertive models to address the health disparities experienced by disadvantaged groups. cohealth offers a broad range of high quality, integrated health and support services, including medical oral, pharmacy, mental health and drug and alcohol services. 

 

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