The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) has recently announced setting up vaccination popup hubs in Prahran and also Brunswick.
The newly established hubs have received the support and encouragement of the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt.
“In collaboration with Melbourne Primary Health Networks and the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne, the Australian Government is proud to be supporting a mass vaccination activity in the coming weeks,” Minister Hunt said welcoming the 2,000 people expected to be vaccinated there over the coming month.
“This activity forms a part of the Government’s commitment to ensuring timely vaccinations for all people, including some of our most vulnerable communities including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds,” he added commending Mr. Bill Papastergiadis OAM and the Victorian and Melbourne Greek Orthodox Community for their support and leadership.
Mr Hunt called the effort “life saving” in ensuring as many people as possible are vaccinated in these large communities in key Melbourne locations.
This initiative comes following the success of the vaccine pop-up at the GCM St George Church in Thornbury, aimed in part at vulnerable community members.
In turn, the president of the GCM Mr Bill Papastergiadis OAM said: “We are working with the Federal Government and Minister Hunt on bringing vaccinations closer to our communities. This is an important step in protecting lives and opening up society so that we can once again spend time with our loved ones here and abroad. We thank Minister Hunt for working with the Greek Community of Melbourne on this initiative. At all times the Minister has been accessible and friendly in his dealings with us. He has demonstrated a real commitment on making this initiative happen. He has personally involved himself to ensure it’s success.”
Meanwhile, Hellenic Medical Society of Australia (HMSA) will once again be supporting the Prahran and Brunswick initiatives by provide Greek speaking doctors at each location as with the GCM initiative in Thornbury.
Finally, the president of the HMSA and GCM Board member A/Prof Marinis Pirpiris also encouraged the community to get vaccinated saying “vaccinations have never been more accessible”.
“The Federal Government initiative is aimed to provide culturally and linguistically diverse communities an ability to get vaccinated in a hub that is convenient. The community hubs provide information in a format that addresses concerns in a culturally inclusive manner by addressing cultural and social concerns in a patient centered approach,” he noted, urging people to book and come and visit the hubs as soon as possible.
“The Greek Community of Melbourne and the Hellenic Medical Society of Australia are committed to providing information and access to the vaccines for the members of our community to make informed and timely decision related to their health. Please. There will be health care workers and doctors to answer your questions and concerns. The vaccines help provide everyone with an ability to protect your families, loved ones, friends and colleagues from serious illness and death from COVID-19.”
More specifically, two Pfizer programs have been supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Health via the PH:
- The vaccination blitz hub at St Demetrios Church Hall at 380 High Street, Prahran, will be held on Wednesday 20, Friday 22 and Saturday 23 October run by medical staff from the Port Melbourne Medical Centre who also run a pop up centre at the Port Melbourne Football Club
- Brunswick vaccination pop-up at St Eleftherios church hall on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 October information will follow in the coming days
No walk-ins are accepted. Bookings are essential and can be made via: the following link https://bit.ly/GOCVaxHub or by calling 03 9662 2722 (Mon – Fri).