By Gabriella Payne
A number of locations throughout Casey and Cardinia will be transformed into pop up vaccination clinics in the coming days, so if you’re still waiting for your first or second jab, now’s your chance!
Pakenham Secondary College will be hosting one of the pop up vaccination centres this weekend, with both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines available to community members and no bookings are required – anyone who needs a vaccine will be able to just walk-in.
The school pop up centre will be offering jabs to anyone aged 12 and over, and will be operating from 10am – 6.30pm on Saturday 16, and between 10am – 5.30pm on Sunday 17 October.
The principal of Pakenham Secondary College, Ray Squires, said it was great that the school could help do their bit for the wider community.
“We’re happy to be able to help out and be part of this vaccination push,” Mr Squires said.
“We’re making an important contribution to our community.”
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said that these pop up clinics provided the perfect, welcoming space for people to receive their vaccinations and she encouraged community members to pay them a visit.
“If you are still waiting to get your first or second vaccination, this weekend it’s time,” Ms Crugnale said.
“Pakenham Secondary is a great local, welcoming and easy to get to location so walk on in, speak with a health professional if you have any questions, roll up your sleeve and get the jab.
“We are in for a bumpy ride as we open up – the more people vaccinated, the better we protect our children, our loved ones, our community and our health care system,” she said.
As well as the Pakenham Secondary pop up clinic, another will be opening in nearby Casey.
Residents in the Cranbourne East area will have access to vaccinations at the popular sporting facility Casey Fields, which will also be hosting a pop-up clinic this weekend.
The clinic opened its doors at 9am on Friday 15 October, and will be operating on the Saturday and Sunday as well, from 9am – 5pm each day.
The Monash Health team will be overseeing the Casey Fields clinic and have the capacity to administer up to 1,000 doses of Pfizer and Moderna each day to anyone aged 12 and over.
Pakenham’s Living & Learning Centre will also be set up as a pop up vaccination clinic in the coming weeks, operating on selective Thursdays beginning on 28 October.
Being run by EACH Health, this clinic will be offering Pfizer doses on Thursday 28 October from 10am – 4pm, on Thursday 4 November from 12pm – 6pm, Thursday 18 November from 10am – 4pm and Thursday 25 November from 12pm – 6pm.
No appointments are required on any of these days, but children aged between 12 – 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Ms Crugnale congratulated all locals who had rolled up their sleeves so far on their amazing efforts to protect the community – and she urged others to follow suit.
“Cardinia and Casey are both at nearly 90 percent first dose – this is an amazing achievement and I am so proud of our community,” she said.
“Get vaccinated so our kids can get back to school, our businesses can fully open, our family and friends can unite again and our community can celebrate festivals and events again.
“Get vaccinated so our health care workers and front line workers who have worked so hard for nearly two years can have a well deserved break.”
