The pop-up vaccination clinic at the gymnasium of All Saints Grammar in Belmore is entering its third and final week before it returns in October and many from the Greek and wider community have hailed it a great success.
Running every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday since August 18, registered nurses, volunteers and expert translators have been working hard to safely administer at least 500 Pfizer vaccinations a day to people aged 16 to 59 from 12 Local Government Areas (LGA) of concern across Greater Sydney.
This includes Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, Strathfield, and some suburbs of Penrith.
By the end of the three week clinic, which is this Friday, September 3, a total of 4,500 Pfizer vaccines would have been administered, with people awaiting their second doses when the clinic reopens on October 13.
READ MORE: ‘The only way out’: Hundreds line up at All Saints Grammar gym in Belmore to get vaccinated.
“It’s been very successful. It has allowed people to come out and make their own choices. A lot of people have said they need this to get back to work,” Chris, who is one of the leaders of the church community helping set up the clinic run by NSW Health, tells The Greek Herald.
“We had many parishioners come, many elderly and not only from Belmore. We’ve had people from across the 12 LGAs.
“We really just want to say thank you to the Greek Welfare Centre for volunteering and to the nursing and administration staff for giving their time. They’ve come from all over Sydney to be a part of this.”
The Greek Herald first visited the clinic when it opened and saw hundreds lining up outside the gymnasium waiting for their vaccination.
47-year-old, Tina Daniels, was one of the people vaccinated on the day and told The Greek Herald her experience at the pop-up clinic was ‘unreal’ as she’s ‘looking forward to some freedom.’
“It was very good. Everyone is just trying to do their best to keep everyone safe and the nurses were beautiful,” Ms Daniels said as she sat in the clinic’s observation area after receiving her vaccine.
“I think it’s really good to have pop-up hubs like this. I wish there was more of them. This is a great organisation and it’s really lovely of them to open their doors up to us and allow us in to be vaccinated.”
Prior to vaccination for Ms Szatow. Photo: Andriana Simos. 
Tina Daniels. Photo: Andriana Simos.
Renee Moreton, who is the General Manager of Population Health for Sydney Local Health District, agreed and encouraged more people to come down and get their first dose of Pfizer.
“It’s great to be able to work with our community partners. I think the community trust the organisations that are part of the community and that helps with people that might be a bit vaccine hesitant,” Ms Moreton said.
To book an appointment at All Saints Grammar gym please visit: bit.ly/mycovaxvc16.
