Young people turned away at Melbourne vaccination hubs

Desperate young people who waited hours at mass vaccination hubs in Melbourne have been turned away in droves.

Desperate young people who waited hours at mass vaccination hubs in Melbourne have been turned away in droves, as demand for the Pfizer jab soars.

It comes just one day after the state expanded its bookings for the 16-39 age group, with a reported 100,000 young Victorians booking in for the jab on Wednesday alone.

Young Victorians eager to get vaccinated crashed the booking website twice, and those attempting to use the phone booking system reported huge delays.

Those brave enough to try their luck showed up to the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre but were dealt another blow on Thursday, with staff telling some who had waited for more than four hours that there were no more spots available.

Staff at the centre turned people away on Thursday after they’d been waiting hours. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Teenagers Claire McVea and Siena St Clair had been waiting in line at the centre for four hours but were eventually turned away.

The friends said they had spent the day before attempting to book the vaccine online, and waited on the phone but could not get through to an operator.

“There’s nothing left on the system for weeks,” Ms McVea said.

“It’s really frustrating because it’s hard when you can’t do a lot of things or go to many places because you’re not vaccinated.

“We’ve just been told we’re allowed to get it but we still can’t.”

Claire McVea 19 and Siena St Clair19 said they had tried their best to get the jab. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Teenagers Kirralea Boyce, 18, and Tabitha Hicks, 19, were also turned away at the centre after waiting since 7am.

“We’re leaving on Saturday for Adelaide so that’s why we want to get it, because we have to quarantine when we get across,” Ms Hicks said.

“Most people our age don’t have it, but we just want to get it.”

Kirralea Boyce 18 and Tabitha Hicks 19 were turned away after waiting for almost five hours. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Hundreds of people unable to get Pfizer bookings have turned up to the state’s mass vaccination hubs. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Premier Daniel Andrews announced an extra 830,000 first dose vaccination appointments would be made available for the younger age groups this week, split about 50 per cent between the Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs.

Those unable to book online or call have been encouraged to head down to the mass vaccination centres.

Those lucky enough to secure a booking only faced a five minute wait, while some who turned up spent between two to four hours in the line.

University student Michelle Wei, who was also turned away after waiting four hours, brought a chair, snacks and hot water in preparation.

“It’s so disappointing,” she said.

“I tried to book online but the next available appointment is in October, and I’m worried that will clash with the final week of my exams.”

University student Michelle Wei brought along a chair and some snacks. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Melbourne resident Jesus Bravo had also been waiting for four hours, after attempting to access the booking system the day before.

He said the wait for the vaccine had been frustrating, and attempting to book had been a nightmare.

“Apparently only the people who got bookings are allowed to get in, it’s very unfair,” he said.

“Some people don’t have access to the internet, or they don’t have a phone and I feel a little frustrated for them.

“I hope I am able to get it today, we came because if you want to go to another country there are too many restrictions.”

Jesus Bravo said his attempts to get the Pfizer vaccine had been frustrating. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Mr Andrews urged people to stick it out.

He conceded there had been issues with more than one million people trying to book a few thousand vaccine appointments.

“I would encourage people to go back and stick to it, because it is the way out of restrictions and out of our hospitals being overwhelmed and our way back to normal life,” the Premier said.

“You have to be patient. There is no choice, but there are appointments that can be made.”

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