Alpine COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics set to wind back

30 March 2022

Bright and Mount Beauty residents are being reminded of the wide range of vaccination options now available to them.

With increased vaccination options now available through Alpine Shire pharmacies and GP clinics, Alpine Health’s COVID-19 vaccination hubs at Mount Beauty and Bright will close on Monday 11 April, while Myrtleford clinic will close on Wednesday 27 April.

Albury Wodonga Public Health Unit (AWPHU) Director Dr Lucie Shanahan said the Alpine Health clinics had provided an important service to the community, but it was wonderful to see GPs and pharmacists now providing this service.

“The intention has always been that we will wind down the State-run clinics in line with demand and availability,” she said.

“It is pleasing to see that more than 95 per cent of Alpine Shire residents have now received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccination, while 75 percent have received their third dose.

“We would encourage people to continue to come forward to receive their third dose, where eligible, as this gives them the best line of defence against COVID-19.

“Even if you contract COVID-19, your health outcomes will be much better if you are fully vaccinated.”

Dr Shanahan said the AWPHU would also be continuing to provide its outreach clinics in Alpine Shire.

“Our model of bringing the vaccinations to the people, as well as the wonderful response from our pharmacists and GPs, mean that we have great coverage for those needing a vaccination,” she said.

“We would encourage people to keep an eye out on our website and social media for upcoming vaccination clinics as we are definitely out and around bringing this valuable service to the community.”

Dr Shanahan said the efforts of Alpine Health staff in providing vaccinations to the community through its clinic were outstanding.

“These staff have been able to return to their previous roles and provide a much-needed bolster to their health service staff numbers,” she said.

‘It is a credit to them all that they have stepped up and provided the vaccination service to their community in a time when it was so needed.

“We thank everyone for their assistance, as well as the community for being so responsive to the calls to be vaccinated and remind them if they are still to have a vaccination, we will be remaining open for a short time yet.”

Alpine Health CEO Nick Shaw said," We’d like to thank the Alpine community for their support and amazing efforts in getting vaccinated! Our community has truly rolled up for our region, protected our families, businesses, and our clubs. And helped to get us back to a new COVID normal! ! Thank you Alpine!."

For further information about outreach clinics run by AWH, or to find out where you can be vaccinated in your Shire, see awh.org.au or www.alpinehealth.org.au