cohealth administers 25,000th dose of covid vaccine

cohealth will this week administer its 25,000th dose of the COVID vaccine since it began its vaccination program in May. 

The vaccine is expected to be administered from cohealth’s West Melbourne clinic, one of several vaccination clinics the community health agency is currently operating across the northern and western suburbs including from Laverton and Collingwood cohealth sites and pop-up clinics at public housing high-rise estates, homelessness services and high-risk accommodation sites. 

In a bid to protect as many people as possible from COVID-19, cohealth has been setting up clinics in locations and communities of greatest need, including where there are people in high-density housing, those from culturally diverse backgrounds, and people experiencing homelessness. 

cohealth Chief Executive, Nicole Bartholomeusz, says it is a proud moment for community health, and gratifying to know that many of the 25,000 vaccines have been received by members of the community who face the greatest barriers to healthcare. 

“We’re thrilled to have hit the 25,000 milestone, and grateful to community members for their enthusiastic uptake of the vaccine,” said Ms Bartholomeusz. 

“Offering the COVID vaccine from existing cohealth sites means we have been able to leverage existing relationships with people in the community.” 

“They trust us, so feel safe coming to get their vaccination, and we can actively seek out those clients we know might struggle to access the vaccine due to language barriers, low health literacy or other difficulties,” said Ms Bartholomeusz. 

Ms Bartholomeusz says cohealth staff had done a remarkable job to roll-out multiple vaccines in an ever-changing, high pressure environment. 

“It’s required enormous agility and dedication from every person in our team. We’re so proud of all the hard working staff across all our sites,” she said. 

Of the 25,000 vaccines at cohealth, 15,000 were administered from West Melbourne. Of those, around half (55%) of the vaccines were Pfizer and 45% were AZ, and there was an even 50/50 split between males and females who received the vaccine. 

— 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.