Cobram COVID Vaccination Clinic to Close

Cobram vaccination Clinic will close the end of June as funding for the state run clinic has now ceased.

Cobram Vaccination Clinic first opened on April 19, 2021, front line health care workers, aged care and disability staff and residents and others considered to be high risk of contracting COVID-19 or being most affected by the virus were among the first to be vaccinated.

Astra Zeneca was the first vaccine on offer with 207 people vaccinated in the first month. The first dose of Pfizer vaccine was delivered on June 3, and the first dose of Moderna on October 13.
By October 2021 between 4000 – 5000 people were being vaccinated monthly by the Cobram Vaccination Clinic.

Vaccination Clinic Practice Manager Niki Vidler said despite a number of early challenges in rolling out the vaccination program the team has made a significant difference to health and safety of the Hume region.“In the early stages of the rollout we had to manage frequent changes to vaccine supply and updates to community eligibility, however the community were overwhelmingly positive, supportive and rallied to roll up their sleeves.”

She said the team worked hard to vaccinate as much of the Local Public Health Unit catchment area as possible.
“The Cobram Vaccination Clinic, with the support of Yarrawonga Health offered pop up clinics in Numurkah, Nathalia and Yarrawonga on alternate Fridays. We also stood up a dedicated clinics in each of these towns for groups named by the state government as priority groups, for example, VCE students. Further, in partnership with GV Health we established outreach clinic teams to travel to Katamatite, Tungamah Strathmerton, Bearii, Waaia and Katunga. All of these clinics also offered walk in/no appointment vaccines.”

In November of 2021 the postcode data showed that 95 percent of those aged 40 years and over in the Moira Shire were fully vaccinated.

Ms. Vidler thanked the community for their support of the vaccination program.
“On behalf of the vaccination team we want to recognise the role the community has played in the success of the vaccination program in the Moira Shire. We have really enjoyed working alongside you all. Thank you also to the staff who have worked so hard and adapted to the many changes along the way.”