Bendigo mass coronavirus vaccine clinic to open in Mollison Street

Bendigo East MP Jacinta Allan believes the new community clinic is a significant milestone in the region's vaccination efforts.

"We have worked hard to make it easier and more accessible for people in the Loddon Mallee community to get their COVID-19 vaccination," she said.

"This is a big ramp-up in the vaccine rollout for the central Victorian community.

"It's going to be another step to protecting our community."

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Ms Allan said once opened, the clinic would have capacity for people to walk in and get vaccinated without a booking.

The clinic will have 40 vaccination cubicles and the ability to vaccinate about 1000 people a day.

Bendigo Health chairman Bob Cameron said the service was fortunate to secure a promising space in the city's central business district.

The clinic, located at 113-133 Mollison Street, will open on May 24.

"The reason this site was so good was due to its size and location. That means there will be people in town and going to be able to come in here," Mr Cameron said.

Other news: No new COVID-19 cases recorded in Victoria overnight

"Later on in the year when Pfizer becomes readily available for those under 50, we will expect a large increase in the number of people coming through too."

Bendigo Health nurse Michelle McGibbon said the site was excellent.

"This will be fantastic here - a much bigger area, adequate privacy and adequate times for anyone to come in and chat with us," she said.

"This is a safe thing we can all do and if we get vaccinated we can protect our vulnerable people in the community... it will be excellent to expand here."

Parking will be available on McLaren Street, with up to 80 spaces designated.

Once the new clinic opens, Bendigo Health's Stewart Street site will remain open for testing only.

Mr Cameron said people aged 50 and over could register for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine here.

Earlier

A community vaccination clinic capable of vaccinating thousands of people against COVID-19 every week will open in Bendigo from May 24.

Bendigo Health will oversee the clinic, located at 113-133 Mollison Street.

The site will join existing mass vaccination centres across the state including those in Melbourne, Geelong, Sunshine, Heidelberg and Ballarat.

Related: Coronavirus vaccine rollout in Bendigo: Hospital starts phase 2A

Earlier this week, Bendigo Health opened its own COVID-19 vaccination hub for people aged between 50 and 70 as part of phase 2A.

On its first day, frontline workers at the hub vaccinated hundreds of residents.

Bendigo's frontline health workers were the first group to receive the vaccine on February 23, just days after Australia's vaccine rollout began.

As of last week, Bendigo Health confirmed that so far it had delivered 7,300 vaccine doses as part of the rollout.

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