There are now three locations for Upper Clutha residents to access Covid-19 vaccinations in Wānaka: the Wānaka Lakes Medical Centre, the Wānaka Community Hub, and a drive-in clinic at the old Mitre 10 building on Cliff Wilson Drive.

Bookings remain essential for all vaccination appointments in Wānaka.

Everyone over the age of 12 years old can now book on BookMyVaccine or by calling 0800 28 29 26, the Southern District Health Board (SDHB) said.

Aspiring Medical Centre is currently vaccinating from 9.30am to 5.30pm Tuesday to Saturday each week at the Wānaka Community Hub, 23 McDougall Street. 

This location is dependent on the South Island remaining in alert level three or four.

Wānaka Medical Centre is vaccinating from two locations, and these appear as two different clinics in BookMyVaccine. When booking, people should choose the location that suits them best.

Vaccinations and Covid-19 testing are both available at the Wānaka Lakes Health Centre.

The options are the Wānaka Physiotherapy premises at Wānaka Lakes Health Centre (weekdays from 5.30pm to 8.30pm); and the pop-up drive-in clinic at the old Mitre 10 building, entering via Cliff-Wilson Street.

Bookings are also essential for the drive-in clinic; it is not a drop-in event.

Everyone in your vehicle should have an appointment. You do not need to be booked in together at the same time, but you must all be booked on the same day, the SDHB said.

People in your vehicle without appointments may not be vaccinated. Only people in your bubble should be in your vehicle.

People must arrive in, and remain in, the car, all wearing masks.

“We will vaccinate you and your bubble at the same time in your vehicle,” the SDHB said.

Hours for the pop-up location are:

• Thursday September 2; 9.30am to 1pm
• Saturday September 4, Sunday September 5; 9.30am to 6pm
• Saturday September 11, Sunday September 12; 9.30am to 6pm

The pop-up drive-in clinic will reoccur in October for second doses.

If you had an existing booking for this coming Saturday (September 4) at the Wānaka Lakes Health Centre, the location has now changed to the drive-in clinic at the old Mitre 10 building.

If you are happy to attend the drive-in clinic, simply go to the new location. If you do not want to attend the drive-in, please rebook your appointment by visiting BookMyVaccine or calling 0800 28 29 26.

Covid-19 swabbing remains available at the Wānaka Medical Centre and Aspiring Medical Centre by appointment only. You do not need to be an enrolled patient to access swabbing. You can call 0800 VIRUS19 (O8OO 847 8719) to make a booking or call either practice directly. 

Covid-19 swabs are free.

People should be swabbed if they have been at a location of interest at the time listed by the Ministry of Health, or if they are experiencing cold or flu symptoms.

The SDHB said the number of vaccination clinics will continue to evolve in response to alert levels. 

PHOTOS: Wānaka App