Driving community demand for vaccination. Photo by Cate Carrigan, 17 September, 2021

Sydney’s first drive-through vaccination clinic is a hit – listen to interview with Dr Jamal Rifi

Cate Carrigan
Cate Carrigan
Friday, September 17, 2021

COVID-19, Public health, Vaccination

Sydney’s first drive-through vaccination hub has opened in Canterbury Bankstown in south-west Sydney, with family groups amongst those queuing in their cars on the first day.

The initiative of Belmore GP Dr Jamal Rifi and his team at Belmore Respiratory Clinic, the drive-through at the Canterbury Bulldogs Football Stadium comes at a perfect time, just ahead of the school holidays and as vaccinations have opened up to children aged between 12 and 15 years.

New South Wales is now leading Australia on vaccination rates. Over 80 percent of those aged over 16 have now received one dose, and nearly 50 percent are fully vaccinated, compared with national rates of 69.8 percent and 44.7.

Canterbury-Bankstown, one of Sydney’s Local Government Areas of concern, has seen its vaccination rates jump markedly, with 80 percent of the population having had one dose and just over 40 percent fully vaccinated.

CroakeyVOICES journalist Cate Carrigan caught up with Dr Jamal Rifi at the vaccination hub.

Listen to the interview here – where he says “we will work day and night” to achieve highest possible vaccination rates. Any previous vaccination hesitancy has disappeared, he says.

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Comments 2

Mira says:

4 years ago

Hooray !!
Hip, hip, hooray !!
I watched it on ABC TV .. I was a bit worried about the drive-in, in Dr, Jamel Rifi’s front yard & the safety aspects of the road outside & I did wonder how the good Dr. Jamel Rifi got a permit to make it all happen.
wink
wink
say no more
So I am glad that this amazing doctor has been nothing less, than an inspiration, to Aunty Gladys & her tireless team.
😷😇

Reply
Sara says:

3 years ago

Will the doctor open the drive through again for boosters in January? I’m a single parent and it is very hard to get vaccinated without risking the health of my family.

Reply

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Sydney’s first drive-through vaccination clinic is a hit – listen to interview with Dr Jamal Rifi

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