Innovative approach to immunisation

 

Thousands of Victorians will be vaccinated through their car window at Australia's first drive-through COVID-19 vaccination hub in Melbourne's West.

The innovative approach to immunisation at the Melton Vaccination Hub is expected to become a blueprint for similar sites across the country.

Lisa Smith, the project director at Western Health's West Metro COVID-19 Vaccination program, said the proposal for the drive-through was developed and further refined with the support of the Department of Health and was opened on August 8, 2021.

Even though the Western Health team has experience establishing high volume and pop-up vaccination hubs across Melbourne, the traffic management logistics of the new site, and consideration of Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) guidelines specific to drive-through services were key inclusions in the new service.
 
"A phenomenal amount of effort has been put into establishing Australia's first drive-through COVID vaccination site and the response from our community in Melbourne's West has been incredible," Ms Smith said.

After booking their appointment online or via the phone, drivers and passengers are screened for eligibility and symptoms at the drive through entry.  They proceed in batches of six cars to an identification check-in point.

After receiving their vaccination, they are required to wait in their car while nurses observe them for 15 minutes.  The site is fully prepared in the unlikely event of an adverse event following vaccination.

Within 24 hours of launching, the drive-through service was booked out for up to four weeks in advance.

More than 400 people were vaccinated against coronavirus on its first day with numbers increasing as the processes were refined and more bookings added.

The drive-through began administering the Pfizer vaccine only, but now includes the Astra Zeneca vaccine.

Within days, the Melton hub expanded to offer sit-down vaccinations for both Pfizer and Astra Zeneca vaccines and more drive-through appointments were also made available.

Over the coming weeks up to 10,000 Victorians a week will be given the chance to protect themselves and their families against COVID-19 at the Melton site alone.

In addition to operating five high volume vaccination sites, Western Health provides Outreach Services to inpatients and residents in community services in the Western Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.

This may involve setting up temporary vaccination spaces or offering mobile services. It also includes supporting patient vaccination in hospital or health services.
 
Book your appointment at the Melton Vaccination Hub or other sites across Victoria at: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/book-your-vaccine-appointment or the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.