With Governments trying to drive home the importance of being vaccinated against COVID-19, buses are now being used to get to the vaccine to those who can’t get to the vaccination clinics.
In an Australian first, Goulburn Valley Health (GV Health) based in Shepparton, 181km north-northeast of Melbourne, launched ‘Jabba the Bus’ (yes, really) on 7 September. Jabba is travelling with the COVID-19 vaccine across Greater Shepparton, Moira, Benalla, Strathbogie, Mitchell, Murrindindi and Campaspe.
GV Health worked with Dyson Group to convert the bus. It has three cubicles for vaccinations and a waiting area where patients can be monitored after their vaccination.
“It started off as a conversation over morning tea or a lunchtime break for the staff here at the McIntosh Centre and is something that sort of grew from there and became a reality,” GV Health chief executive Matt Sharp said.
Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand’s Government has also latched onto the idea. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced “Mr Whippy-style” mobile vaccination clinics on buses to try to reach communities where vaccines are less accessible.
“In Australia they’ve started operating something similar and have named the mobile outreach clinics Jabba the Bus,” Ms Ardern said. “I’m sure that we can do better.”
“We have some frontrunners: Double Jab Ute, and the Jabbin’ Wagon.”
33.5% of New Zealanders have had a first dose of vaccine, according to data provided yesterday, whereas Australia has 69.1% of people aged over 16 have had one jab as of 15 September.
We’re happy to get on board.
