The ACT government will accelerate the COVID-19 vaccination program through expanded capacity at the AIS Arena and the reopening of the Canberra Airport vaccination hub.
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The airport hub and the AIS Arena mass vaccination clinic will be able to deliver up to 32,500 vaccinations a week - up from the 29,500 vaccinations delivered at the height of its vaccination program in September 2021.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said vaccination remained the best way to reduce COVID-19 transmission and disease.
"We strongly encourage all Canberrans to get their boosters when they're eligible. And if you're a parent or carer of a child aged five to 11, book them in for their first dose," he said.
"To make this easier and faster, we're temporarily re-opening the Canberra Airport vaccination hub at 30 Nomad Drive, Pialligo, from 24 January to help deliver more boosters, more quickly.
"We're making more vaccination appointments available to Canberrans than ever before.
"The ACT government's public health objectives remain the same - to reduce community transmission, minimise pressure on our hospitals and protect those most vulnerable."
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the extra vaccination capacity was important given the changes to booster timeframes.
"The reduction in the interval between second dose and booster from five months to four months means almost 75,000 additional Canberrans are now eligible for their boosters."
"This number will increase even more when the interval is further reduced to three months on 31 January," she said.
"Nearly 59,000 ACT residents aged 18 years or over have already received a third shot or booster and we have around 20,000 booster bookings at our ACT government clinics and 9700 bookings for five- to 11-year-olds.
"While this is a good start, we urge all Canberrans who are eligible for a booster to make a booking now."
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Bookings for the airport vaccination hub will open in the coming weeks. Bookings at the AIS Arena clinic can be made by calling the vaccination booking line on 02 5124 7700 between 7am and 7pm daily or online using MyDHR for those aged 16 or over.
Vaccination bookings can also be made at participating GPs and pharmacies.
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