Victorian Government expands ‘vaccination pop-ups’ at local shops, gyms, cafes and venues

Aiming to increase vaccination rates among the population, the Victorian Government has announced that, over the coming weeks, people will be able to get COVID-19 shots at ‘neighbourhood pop-ups’ in “cafes, gyms, clubs and shopping strips across our suburbs”.

Announced on Wednesday, the first neighbourhood pop-up has opened at Degani’s Mernda Junction café in Melbourne’s outer north - with more Degani locations to follow.

The neighbourhood pop-up model is designed to support Victorians to get vaccinated with Pfizer at a convenient location, in a familiar setting, and in a culturally safe way - which is key to increasing uptake.

The pop-ups will vaccinate dozens of people over a two-to-three hour period, delivered in partnership with the Victorian Government, local GPs, pharmacies and community organisations, and St John Ambulance.

No bookings will be required at neighbourhood pop-ups, which will be placed within marquees on shopping strips, inside cultural and community centres, or within popular retail, food and gym outlets.

Suburbs in scope for neighbourhood pop-ups are concentrated in Melbourne’s mid and outer north, west and south east, with Broadmeadows, Craigieburn, Glenroy and South Morang among the next on the list.

The announcement came as the state reached a milestone of having 60% of Victorians aged 16 and over fully vaccinated while the state’s second dose rate is increasing fast.

Victoria’s larger community pop-ups are also making a difference. 238 second dose vaccinations were administered yesterday at the Australian Islamic Centre pop-up in Newport, and 463 people got vaccinated at the Palm Plaza near the Dandenong Market.

Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said the local pop-ups at a vast array of places would help Victorians feel comfortable getting the jab at culturally safe locations, commenting “these neighbourhood pop-up models are designed to support Victorians to get access and vaccine, Pfizer in particular, in the most convenient, familiar and easy to deal with locations.

“And, equally, in culturally safe and protective locations for those Victorians who might need that further reassurance as to the need to come forward and get vaccinated.”

While gyms have been cited as a location for the ‘vaccination pop-ups’, Australasian Leisure Management is unaware of any Victorian fitness facilities that are currently part of the program.

Leisure facilities that are being used as vaccination centres include the Caroline Springs Leisure Centre, Ballarat Mercure Hotel and Convention Centre, Cranbourne Turf Club, Melbourne Showgrounds, Royal Exhibition Building, Shepparton Showgrounds - McIntosh Centre and the Traralgon Racecourse.