Hardware chain Bunnings has hosed down suggestions it has offered to convert its car parks into mass vaccination hubs, saying it is open to "discussing further support" for the nation's vaccine rollout program but no proposal has been put to the government.
Australia will fast-track its COVID-19 vaccine rollout for people older than 50 next month, as National Cabinet seeks to reset the nation's troubled vaccination program.
Bunnings hosted testing clinics in some of its car parks in the early days of the pandemic, and this week reports surfaced it had an "open offer" to help the federal government with the rollout, which has been plagued by logistical issues.
While there is no offer currently in front of the government, Bunnings' chief operating officer Deb Poole said the company was "always open" to discussing additional support.
"We’ve previously supported the government and the community by hosting COVID-19 testing in some of our store car parks and we’re always open to discussing further support directly with the government," she said in a statement.
It's understood there are a number of logistical issues that would need to be worked through, should the company be asked for assistance.
Asked if the federal government had sought further support or would consider such sites for potential vaccination hubs, Health Minister Greg Hunt's office referred to the Prime Minister's comments about changes to Australia's vaccine strategy.
On Thursday, Scott Morrison announced National Cabinet had agreed to bring forward the planned rollout, with those over 50 to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The fast-tracking will see state-run clinics offer the AstraZeneca jab to over 50s from May 3, and at GP clinics from May 17.
As of April 22, about 1.8 million Australians had received a vaccine.
