Getting vaccinated is set to become even easier for residents in Melbourne’s inner north, with the launch of a new pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Islamic Museum of Australia in Thornbury.

Member for Northcote, Kat Theophanous, today visited the new open-access clinic to mark its first day in operation. She was joined by the Member for Preston, Robin Scott, as well as Moustafa Fahour OAM, Founder and Director of IMA and Nesreen Bottriell, CEO of IMA.

As part of a community-led approach, the clinic has been established by the Islamic Museum of Australia, in partnership with the Victorian Government, as well as Islamic Society of Victoria, Darebin City Council, Banyule Community Health and HealthAbility.

The Victorian Government has been bringing the vaccines to areas that need them most, by launching a massive community pop-up vaccination program targeting 100 priority postcodes across the state, with an immediate focus on the northern and western suburbs of Melbourne.

The Islamic Museum of Australia vaccination clinic follows the recent success of other community-led pop-ups, which have been set up to support Melbourne’s Muslim, Greek, Hindu, Sikh and Samoan communities. One of the first of these was held at the Greek Orthodox Church of St George in Thornbury.

This tailored and culturally appropriate approach to vaccinations aims to reduce barriers by offering vaccinations in a familiar setting amongst trusted members of the community.

The museum site will be operated by community health service Your Community Health, in collaboration with the lead public health unit Austin Heath. Staff from various backgrounds will be able to provide in-language support.

The clinic will operate between 9am and 5pm from September 28 until October 2. Bookings are open to all members of the local community and can be made through the Islamic Museum of Australia website: www.islamicmuseum.org.au/vaccination-at-ima.

The site will offer both Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines, based on eligibility. The vaccination site will offer options for those of a range of faiths and those in the local community, including private booths.

The Department has also been working with a range of culturally and linguistically diverse communities, including those from faith groups, to build trust and confidence on COVID-19 vaccines.

Visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccination-centres for more information on Victoria’s vaccination centres, including locations and opening hours.

Quotes attributable to Member for Northcote Kat Theophanous

“We’re proud to partner with the Islamic Museum of Australia to launch this pop-up vaccination clinic in Thornbury.”

“The pop-up clinic a testament to the leadership of the Islamic community. It’s part of a community-led approach that is vital to driving demand and overcoming any barriers that may exist to accessing vaccines.”