New Darwin mass Covid-19 vaccination centre opens its doors

Sleeves have been rolled and doses have been delivered on day one of the new Darwin mass vaccination centre’s first day in operation, in a major boost in the arm to the Territory’s jab rollout.

• Major vaccination hub planned amid jab-for-all
• New mass vaccination hub will offer 200 doses a day to Greater Darwin

THE Northern Territory’s vaccination drive has received a shot in the arm, with the much-anticipated Covid-19 jab centre in Marrara opening today.

The new centre, located in the Italian Club building, will be administering the Pfizer jab to anyone who has secured an appointment.

MORE TOP NEWS

NT vaccine lead Dr Bhavini Patel said the new centre could administer up to 120 vaccines a day at present, and could deliver more when supplies increase in September.

Edwin Edlund receiving his Pfizer jab at the Darwin Covid-19 Vaccination Centre in Marrara. Picture: Thomas Morgan

“Our aim is to use all the doses that were allocated in a timely manner,” Dr Patel said.

“We’re hoping as supply increases, we’ll be able to continue to do that and hope to get most Territorians vaccinated by the end of the year or early in the new year, dependent on supply.”

Among those who turned up for their first dose on day one of the centre’s opening was government worker Edwin Edlund.

Dr Bahvini Patel at the Darwin Covid-19 Vaccination Centre in Marrara. Picture: Thomas Morgan

“It was wonderful, I didn’t feel a thing,” Mr Edlund said.

He said he had been eager to get the jab ever since he became eligible.

“A couple of weeks ago the announcement was made you could book, I jumped at it the next day.”

Follow @thomasmorgan22