The Department of Health has teamed up with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing to help vulnerable children receive their COVID-19 vaccines among lions, meerkats, sharks, dinosaurs, robots and starlit galaxies.
Announced by Minister for Health, Martin Foley, the pop-up vaccination sites for kids are to begin rolling out next weekend (12 February), with initial sites to be hosted at Melbourne Zoo; Healesville Sanctuary; Werribee Open Range Zoo; Sealife Aquarium; Melbourne Museum; Immigration Museum; Scienceworks; State Library of Victoria; and Legoland.
“Come for the vaccine and stay for Nemo and Dory – that’s our special offer to hundreds of vulnerable children and their families across Victoria, who might need and deserve that extra bit of assistance to get protected,” Mr Foley said.
“We know needles can be a bit daunting for kids, but, the young ones that come to our vaccination centres, they are entering an enchanted forest of protection,” he said.
“Initially vaccine recipients at these venues will be invitation-only, with the Department of Health and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing identifying children with potential access issues.”
Mr Foley said invitees would include children from out-of-home care, living with disability or in contact with specialist services.
The Minister said the Department of Health had worked closely with host venues to ensure a safe and clinical environment.
“Parents, carers and guardians of children attending for vaccination will receive entry passes to visit the venues – and the sites will not accept walk-ups,” he said.
Mr Foley said each site would be able to administer up to 100 paediatric doses each weekend and would supplement the network of State-run, enchanted forest-themed vaccination centres across Victoria.
