ACT government's second mass vaccine hub at Calvary opens

But the centre will only administer the AstraZeneca vaccine to people over 50, with the existing mass vaccination clinic at the Garran Surge Centre to give the Pfizer vaccine to people under 50 who are in stage 1a and 1b of the vaccine rollout.

Initially, the Calvary clinic will be able to give up to 800 vaccinations a week, depending on supply. It comes after the Australian manufacturer of AstraZeneca vaccines, CSL, revealed it was now producing more than 1 million doses a week.

About 130,000 people in Canberra are over the age of 50, making them eligible to get the jab.

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith flagged the opening of the Calvary centre last month, and she said it would give Canberrans more options to access the vaccine.

"Opening an additional ACT government vaccination clinic and widening who can book in at these clinics provides more options and better access to COVID-19 vaccines for our community," she said.

"The Calvary Public Hospital COVID-19 vaccination clinic will supplement the Commonwealth government's AstraZeneca program, being delivered through general practices in the ACT."

The territory government has also set up an online system for people to book their vaccines at ACT government clinics.

The vaccine can be booked through the ACT's Digital Health Record website, which was accelerated due to the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.

"Our digital services team has been testing the online booking system over the last couple of weeks and we thank those eligible essential workers who have already used the portal to make a vaccination booking," Ms Stephen-Smith said.

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Depending on supply and demand, the ACT government will be able to give about 8000 vaccines a week.

"Following the changes to the vaccine roll out agreed upon by national cabinet, the ACT government has been working to recalibrate our own vaccination program," Ms Stephen-Smith said.

"We have been working to increase capacity and continuously improve operations to ensure we can deliver a safe, effective and accessible program in the ACT as more Canberrans become eligible for a COVID19 vaccination."

Vaccination hubs at walk-in centres are expected to follow the one at Calvary, operating alongside the Commonwealth government's program at general practices.

General practitioners in Canberra have reported vaccine hesitancy among patients over the AstraZeneca vaccine, because of concerns to a link to extremely rare blood clotting. One Canberra clinic reported a 30 per cent cancellation rate.

Ms Stephen-Smith encouraged people to speak to their GP about any concerns with the vaccine.

"Any person who has questions or concerns about getting a COVID-19 vaccine should speak to their GP or healthcare provider before making an appointment," she said.

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