Vaccination centre booted from Jeff’s Shed for Sexpo

Victoria’s race to get vaccinated has taken a blow, with a vital jab hub centre getting booted for Sexpo. But the organiser says the event is just as crucial.

One of Victoria’s most vital mass Covid-19 vaccination centres is being booted out of its current Jeff’s Shed home to make way for Sexpo and other exhibitions.

The Herald Sun has learned Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre managers have informed the Department of Health and Royal Melbourne Hospital they will have to pack up and move the vaccination centre by June 30.

While Royal Melbourne Hospital will be provided an alternative area within MCEC, sources within the state’s vaccination program have been outraged priority has been given to events ahead of the all-important Covid-19 jab program.

The 1500 people getting vaccinated at the MCEC each day will be booted for Sexpo. Picture: AAP

One of the events highlighted to those operating the vaccination centre requiring the space is Sexpo – a “health, sexuality and lifestyle exhibition” – scheduled for MCEC on November 5-7.

About 1500 Victorians are now receiving Covid-19 vaccinations at the MCEC hub each day, though it is not known how much the rollout will be impacted by the need to move.

The Herald Sun understands it took more than fortnight and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to set up the vaccination hub in its current space, and many of the same processes will have to be undertaken to establish a new home with a new entrance.

MCEC licensed the Department of Health to operate a vaccination centre in the middle of the exhibition building until the end of June.

When the vaccination hub was further extended this week MCEC chief executive officer Peter King said it was agreed to relocate it to a more convenient location with Clarendon Street access and closer to public transport.

“MCEC has been working with the Government for a number of months now delivering a mass vaccination facility for the people of Victoria,” Mr King said.

“We are proud to be able to continue this partnership for the foreseeable future and to be leading the way in supporting our community on its way to recovery.”

Kevin Mack, director of Australian Exhibition Group which runs Sexpo, said there were a number of events that had been able to continue at MCEC this year, and more that would take place before Sexpo started.

But with the event industry on its knees due to Covid-19 restrictions, Mr Mack said it was vital space was given to restart businesses.

“It would be easier for people to say ‘I’m a little bit worried that they are going to move vaccinations’,” Mr Mack said.

“If they had vaccinations centres in every cafe around Victoria, cafe owners would outrage and say ‘why is this where they need to be, how are we going to keep our small business’.

“It has to be relative to account for the livelihood damage by it being there.

“Absolutely multiple vaccination hubs are required and are essential to Victorians, so is their livelihoods and their businesses.

“The last time we made any money was in December 2019 and we are probably four weeks away from going back and firing 15 staff.”

A Department of Health spokesman said it was pleased Covid-19 vaccinations will be continuing at MCEC, one of the state’s largest vaccination centres, after rthe move.

“The current site will relocate to another location within the centre — which is an equivalent sized space and will have the same capacity,” he said.