By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Pfizer vaccines have been re-introduced to the Palm Plaza pop-up clinic as active Covid cases continue to steeply rise in Greater Dandenong and Casey.
Vaccine take-up reportedly reduced at the Dandenong walk-up clinic after Pfizer was replaced by Moderna vaccines from 28 September.
State Health Minister Martin Foley said at the time that this was due to “uncertain” supplies of Pfizer.
As of 7 October, both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are available for 12-to-59-year-olds at the clinic.
Meanwhile, Greater Dandenong’s active cases have more than doubled in the past seven days – with 661 as of 10 October. This is up 351 in the past week.
Casey’s active infections also doubled to 1269, up 673 in seven days.
Postcode hotspots include Dandenong (323 active cases), Noble Park (181), Doveton (97), Hallam (94), Endeavour Hills (89) and Keysborough (83).
Dandenong and Doveton postcodes have been particularly lagging in vaccination coverage, despite a surge in vax rates in the past month.
Just 30-35 per cent in the two postcodes were fully vaxxed as of 5 October.
The highest vaccinated postcodes of Springvale (48) and Springvale South (28) recorded the lowest active cases.
The South East had been recently labelled an “area of concern” due to low vax rates and rising infections.
As of 5 October, Greater Dandenong was nearing 80 per cent single vaccination and 41 per cent full vaccination.
Palm Plaza clinic is open 9am-5pm seven days a week. Bookings are not required.
Vaccine appointments can also be made at Sandown Racecourse and participating GP clinics and pharmacists.
Bookings: http://portal.cvms.vic.gov.au/ or FindAPharmacy.Com.Au or https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/about-immunisation/where-can-i-get-immunised
