SWAN Hill District Health (SHDH) says it will monitor demand for the fourth COVID-19 vaccine before reinstating the vaccination hub.
SHDH acting chief executive Chloe Keogh told The Guardian it may look at running pop-up clinics to support any demand issues as they arise.
“However, we do not think at this stage that we will go back to staffing a full vaccination hub as we had previously,” she said.
“Community can access the fourth dose through their usual health care providers (GP clinic and pharmacists).”
The hub closed at the end of last month, while the drive-though test site at the showgrounds also ceased operating.
Asked why the hub closed, Ms Keogh said there were a number of alternative vaccination providers within the community.
“GP clinics and pharmacists can provide vaccines and the demand for vaccines is no longer an issue,” she said.
“We commenced the vaccination hub when vaccine supply was very problematic and accessing vaccinations was difficult.
“Presentations to the vaccination hub had been reducing significantly over time, showing that people were sourcing vaccines in other locations.”
The third dose vaccination rate in the Swan Hill local government area is at 65.9 per cent, below the state rate of 68.7 per cent.
Ms Keogh said vaccination was “encouraged and recommended”, however despite having the vaccination hub open and available for community to get their third dose, numbers still remained low.
“I think it can only be encouraged and people have to make choices about what is the best thing for their health and the health of their families,” she said.
“We know that COVID can be a devastating virus for some people and we should all aim to continue to protect ourselves as best we can.”
