By Alesha Capone
Eagle Stadium in Werribee is set to become a new COVD-19 drive-through and indoor vaccination clinic.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced the news at a press conference this morning.
Mr Andrews said the stadium would open for people to receive vaccinations within a week or so.
The Eagle Stadium site is one of three new drive-through vaccination clinics announced today, along with the former Ford Factory in Broadmeadows and Sandown Racecourse.
They follow the opening of the first state-run, drive-through vaccination clinic at the former Bunnings warehouse in Melton earlier this month, which has delivered 1200 vaccine doses across its first week of operation.
Wyndham mayor Adele Hegedich said Eagle Stadium was ideally positioned to vaccinate up to 1000 adults per day.
“It’s been just over a week since Wyndham made the call to the state government to ramp up vaccination access in our city and it’s great to see our calls have been heard,” Cr Hegedich said.
“Since the pandemic began Wyndham has worked hand-in-hand with the state government to ensure we have the strongest possible response in place to keep our community safe.
“We know that our only way out of this is vaccination that is available to everyone, particularly our young people in Wyndham who make up the majority of our community.”
Once the stadium’s vaccination hub starts operating, it will run seven days a week from 8am to 4.30pm, and will have both Pfizer and AstraZeneca available.
“Final arrangements for Eagle Stadium are still being worked through but we’re working to have it open as soon as possible,” Cr Hegedich said.
The vaccination hub at the Werribee Civic Centre will transition to Eagle Stadium, once it is open.
Cr Hegedich said the council was still working through potential options for relocating community sport when lockdown ended.
“We will work with WynActive, the centre operator, and the relevant sporting associations to explore how we might be able to continue to use part of the venue for community sport once it’s able to return, but the reality is, vaccinations have to take precedence here,” she said.
Also at today’s press conference, Victoria’s COVID commander Jeroen Weimar said there were 296 active COVID cases in Victoria, including 57 new cases today.
Sixteen people are in hospital with the virus, three in intensive care and one person is on a ventilator.
Mr Weimar said 38 of today’s new cases have been linked to students and household contacts of Al-Taqwa College in Truganina.
Those 38 people will be required to isolate for another fortnight.
He said the school has done “a phenomenal job” across the past fortnight in working with the state government and contract tracers.
For more information call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 or visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
