Goulburn Valley Health (GV Health) has praised the community for coming forward in big numbers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as the seven-day circuit-breaker lockdown continues in Victoria.
The health service, which operates a vaccine hub in Shepparton as well as smaller sites in Kilmore, Mansfield and Cobram, said it had seen an increase in the number of people coming through the door throughout the week.
In the past week, the health service had vaccinated 3,200 people compared to 1,500 the week before.
"On Saturday and Sunday, we vaccinated around 500 people each day which is a really good effort so around about 1,000 in total over the weekend," chief executive Matt Sharp said.
Struggle to meet demand
Yackandandah local Paul Jones travelled to Wodonga on Thursday in the hope of getting the COVID-19 vaccine after reading on the Victorian government's website that Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) was accepting walk-ins.
"I think it said there was a 15-minute wait," he said.
"I went in about 11 o'clock or so only to find out that walk-ins were no longer being accepted."
On Thursday the health service put a temporary hold on walk-in appointments following the outbreak of COVID-19 cases in Greater Melbourne.
Today the health service confirmed walk-ins were being accepted at AWH vaccine hubs, but people were still urged to book ahead.
Mr Jones was directed to make a booking through the COVID-19 vaccination hotline, but said he had not been able to get through.
Last week AWH delivered 2,924 vaccines, up from 1,529 the week before.
Mr Sharp said GV Health was accepting walk-ins, but warned that people should be prepared to wait.
"Over the weekend we had up to one-and-a-half-hours' wait time," he said.
"I understand the department is really working hard to correct the issue with the 1800 number, so if people can persist with that — that's what we prefer."
