Council's Immunisation service has a new, dedicated home at the Goldfields Family Centre.
The service provides vaccinations to reduce the spread of infections diseases in our community.
The service has been expanded to ensure that all infants, children, young people, pregnant women, older adults, and special risk groups have equal access to a quality and convenient immunisation service - some of which are provided for free as per the National Immunisation Program Schedule.
Throughout 2022, to make the service easier to access, a series of community immunisation sessions (with both drop-in and appointment options) will be offered at various community venues across the Shire, including Dunolly, Carisbrook, Talbot, Bealiba and Maryborough.
Session times will vary to ensure all people can come along, including out-of-business hours options.
The service will also offer a Flu (influenza) vaccination program. Everyone should get an annual influenza vaccine anytime from mid-April onwards to be protected for the peak flu season, which is generally June to September.
Central Goldfields Mayor Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor said he expected many residents might not even be aware Council offers an immunisation service.
"It's such a valuable and important Council service that works to reduce the spread of infections diseases in our community. Never has that been more important than in the current pandemic environment."
"It's wonderful to see the new set up at the Goldfields Family Centre – I have no doubt this will give the service more prominence and being in the centre of town with plenty of car parking, it will certainly help make it more convenient.
Central Goldfields Shire Immunisation Coordinator Hannah Castles said the new dedicated space was a positive step forward for the service.
"We're proud of our new space – it's inviting and welcoming and I'm sure it's going to make getting an immunisation more accessible and appealing for our residents.
"We've also recognised the need to make the service available in our smaller townships as well and I'm looking forward to taking the service to Dunolly, Talbot, Carisbrook and Bealiba over the coming months.
"With the flu season almost upon us, we'll be hosting a number of vaccination sessions on different times and days so that we can sure as many people in our community are protected."
The Maternal and Child Health Service will also change as part of the new approach. The service will no longer offer infant/childhood immunisations during their key age and stage visits and instead families will be able to make a dedicated appointment through the Immunisation Service at the Goldfields Family Centre.
Central Goldfields Shire Coordinator Maternal and Child Health Courtney Noonan said the change would enable a more child and family focused appointment.
"Taking immunisations out of our key age and stage visits means our families can spend more time talking with their Maternal and Child Health nurse about their family's wellbeing.
"We found that often the immunisation part of the appointment took up a large portion of the appointment time. We also know that parents and carers can feel quite anxious about their child's vaccination and so, keeping them separate, means we'll have an opportunity to better understand how we can support their child's growth and development."
To make a booking for an immunisation, including the Flu (influenza) vaccination program, visit
Website: www.centralgoldfields.vic.gov.au/immunisation
