Covid-19 Australia: Westfield opens first shopping centre vaccination hub

Queenslanders are now able to get a Covid-19 jab at a Westfield shopping centre, with more locations set to open across Australia. Here’s how it works.

Exclusive: Westfield has opened its first Covid-19 vaccination hub as part of a targeted campaign to protect disability and aged care workers and residents.

The hub launched yesterday at Westfield Chermside, north of Brisbane, to provide as many as 200 Pfizer vaccinations a day for at least three months.

Scentre Group director of customer experience Lillian Fadel said the company, which owns Westfield, had a good track record working with governments and health authorities throughout the pandemic.

Jake McDonald receives the Pfizer vaccine from nurse immuniser Martin Fruin at the new Aspen Vaccination Clinic at Westfield Chermside. Picture: Brad Fleet

“(We have been) assisting with drive-through Covid testing facilities in our Victorian centres as well as being preferred places for health authorities to set up community information services and outreach,” she said.

“We see our Westfield Living Centres as ideal places for vaccination hubs because they are conveniently located in the heart of communities, close to where people live and are familiar and frequently visited places for our customers.”

Vaccinations at Westfield Chermside are being administered in a dedicated space above the food court by appointment only, with specific groups invited to book.

Walk-in visits from shoppers and the general public are not currently supported.

Bruce Armstrong, chief executive of vaccination provider Aspen Medical, invited disability and aged care residents and workers within the Brisbane area to consult their local healthcare provider and book an appointment.

“We look forward to partnering with Scentre Group to rapidly expand our service locations across the country in other Westfield locations,” he said.

Future hubs are expected to be announced soon across shopping centres in Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

The idea of vaccination hubs in Westfield shopping centres was first announced in July, following Scentre Group chief executive Peter Allen’s offer to chief medical officers and state governments.

Mr Allen made a number of suggestions that would help get Australia and the economy “back to normal”.

“(We need) clear and consistent advice to businesses,” he said.

“Strike a better balance between health and wellbeing and economic activity to support jobs and cashflow especially for small businesses who are often hit hardest by government restrictions.

“(We also need to) back industry plans to operate in a Covid Safe way.

“Engage more frequently with industry bodies to share timely updates on government policies and approach.”