Victoria’s COVID-19 vaccination program will expand in the coming weeks, taking vaccinations to multicultural facilities, churches, temples and mosques, sporting games, pools, festivals and more.

More than 94 per cent of capacity in Victoria’s state-run sites is dedicated to walk-ins, and this will increase in the coming days to almost 100 per cent, allowing everyone to get vaccinated as simply and easily as possible.

Additionally, the state’s in-home vaccination program has expanded to include children. This will specifically help children with special needs, who may not be able to attend a vaccination hub or are likely to respond better to a familiar or low-stimulation environment.

The in-home vaccination service has already begun vaccinating small numbers of children, focusing on those who have an injury, chronic illness, physical disability or mobility issues, or mental health or behavioural issues.

The in-home service has also expanded to include third dose vaccines for any Victorian aged 70 and over who can’t travel to a centre, GP or pharmacy.

Victoria’s health services will continue to provide vaccination pop-ups to support outer-suburban, regional and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Today, Monash Health’s vaccination bus will visit the Monash Civic Centre for a mobile vaccination clinic and a pop-up will be held at the Fawkner Community Hall, both targeting multicultural communities. Pop-up and mobile vaccination clinics will be open at:

• Casey Fields in Cranbourne East, during a footy game, on 26 February
• The Pako Festa celebration of cultural diversity in Geelong, on 26 February
• BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Melbourne, a Hindu temple in Mill Park, on 27 February
• Broadmeadows Aquatic and Leisure Centre, running until 6 March
• Melbourne University, during orientation week activities on 2 March
• Roxburgh Park Shopping Centre, for an evening clinic near shops and fast-food stores, from 3 to 6 March
• Other religious and sporting venues including Dandenong Basketball Stadium

To date, more than half of Victoria’s 5 to 11-year-olds have received their first dose – higher than the national average. More than 56 per cent of Victorians over 16 have had a third dose, but the figure is lower among younger people, who will have become eligible for a dose more recently. 22per cent of people aged 16 to 17 have had a third dose, compared to 34 per cent of people aged 18 to 29, and 46 per cent of people in their 30s.

Book the next dose of your vaccine today or walk-in at a vaccination centre at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine. For in-home vaccinations, call the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.