Cairns Convention Centre vax hub expected to move to The Pier Shopping Centre

The Cairns vax hub is expected to make a major move soon, with health authorities revealing the new location as they prepare for a kids-only pop-up clinic. ALL THE DETAILS

THE Cairns Convention Centre vax hub is expected to move in the near future and the new location has been revealed.

The main centre for vaccination will shift to The Pier Shopping Centre.

But Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Covid vaccine program director Kelly Pollock said the move is not expected to take effect yet.

“We are remaining at the Cairns Convention Centre for the time being, because we have been able to negotiate further dates at the facility with centre management,” she said.

There will be a kids-only pop up vaccination hub for children aged five and over at The Pier shopping centre from Friday to Sunday between 10am to 6pm.

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The mass vaccination hub set up in the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

The pop-up clinic was arranged because the Cairns Taipans NBL home game was scheduled on Sunday.

However the game has been cancelled and the Convention Centre will run on Sunday from 8am to 3pm as well as the pop-up clinic.

But there is an eventual plan to get rid of the Convention Centre vax hub and move the operations to The Pier shopping centre.

“When we do shift operations to The Pier shopping centre, we will notify the public,” she said.

“The vaccination hub will function in the same way as the Cairns Convention Centre, in that anyone over the age of five will be able to receive their first, second and booster doses of the Covid-19 vaccines.

“The clinic would also be for walk-ins and take bookings once opened.”

Tourism worker Marcus Brady was vaccinated against the Covid-19 coronavirus at the mass vaccination hub set up in the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns MP Michael Healy said it was time for the Cairns Convention Centre vax hub to be moved.

“The Convention Centre is a working facility and they have commitment to clients. Its an essential part of the economy,” he said.

“The Convention Centre is a building that generates revenue, they have commercial arrangements and they need to get on with their business life.”

He said the state will continue to ensure there is a place to get vaccinated.

For now the Cairns Convention Centre remains and The Pier shopping centre will be a pop up clinic for the weekend.

Originally published as Cairns Convention Centre vax hub expected to move to The Pier Shopping Centre