A mass COVID-19 vaccination centre with the capacity to administer 20,000 shots a week will open at a former Bunnings site in Belmont on Monday 19 July.
The empty warehouse is being transformed into a built-for-purpose clinic that includes medical treatment bays, waiting areas, a pharmacy preparation area, storage, staff facilities and public amenities.
Hunter New England Local Health District chief executive Michael DiRienzo says the clinic is a big step forward in ramping up the vaccine rollout in NSW.
“The District has been working hard to convert the former Bunnings site on the Pacific Highway into a mass vaccination clinic and we are well on track to start vaccinating when the doors open on 19 July,” he said.
“The site is really coming together and I want to thank everyone involved for their hard work to make this happen so quickly.
“In addition to constructing the physical centre, we have been preparing the staff needed to run it, up to 100 nurses and 25 pharmacists/pharmacy technicians, plus around 200 other support staff.”
The centre is located at 393 Pacific Highway, Belmont and will administer vaccines to eligible people as part of the federal vaccine rollout.
“The COVID-19 vaccine is our best chance of keeping the virus at bay and ensuring we keep our communities safe,” Mr DiRienzo said.
“I encourage everyone to get the jab when it’s their turn.”
Those booked to be vaccinated at the John Hunter Hospital clinic on or after 19 July will have their appointments transferred to the centre in Belmont.
They will receive a direct notification with the new details and a link to the booking system to manage their appointments.
From Monday, appointments will become available at the centre via the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker.
For the latest information on the vaccine, visit the NSW Health website.
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