COVID-19 is still active in our community and while most people will only experience mild/moderate symptoms it can still have a serious impact on some.
If you have questions about vaccinations, symptoms, getting testing, managing the disease at home and possible treatments call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. This line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In an emergency call 000.
Free Rapid Antigen Tests
Rapid antigen tests (RATs) at home are the best way to check if you have COVID-19. The drive-thru and walk-in PCR testing program has now finished and a doctor's referral is now required to have one of these tests at a pathology clinic.
You should have RATs at home in case you
- have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild
- have been in face-to-face contact with someone with COVID-19 at home, work, school or socially.
There are many locations across Brimbank where you can pick up free packs of RATs.
Everyone can get up to 2 packs of 5 RATs per person, and up 2 packs for each household member. People with disability and their carers can get 20 free tests.
You do not need to live in Brimbank to collect from these Council locations.
- Brimbank Community and Civic Centre Customer Service, 301 Hampshire Rd, Sunshine
- Deer Park Library, 4 Neale Road, Deer Park
- Delahey Maternal and Child Health Centre, 70 Copperfield Drive, Delahey
- Derrimut Maternal and Child Health Centre, 30 Lennon Park Way, Derrimut
- Keilor Library, 704B Old Calder Hwy, Keilor
- Keilor Operation Centre, Stadium Drive, Keilor
- Keilor Downs Maternal Child Health Centre, 12B Antwerp Drive, Keilor Downs
- Southwold Maternal Child Health Centre, 10A Southwold Street, St Albans
- St Albans Library, 71A Alfrieda Street, St Albans
- St Albans Maternal and Child Health Centre, 15 Epalock Cresent, St Albans
- Sunshine Library, 301 Hampshire Rd, Sunshine
- Sunshine Maternal and Child Health Centre, 31A Alexandra Avenue, Sunshine
- Visy Cares Hub, 301 Hampshire Rd, Sunshine
- West Sunshine Community / Maternal Child Health Centre, 25 Kermeen Street, Sunshine West
- Westvale Community Centre, 45 Kings Road, St Albans
Visit Get a COVID-19 test for information on other local councils, community health organisations and private pathology centres where RATs can be collected.
Vaccinations
Medical research shows that vaccinations continue to play an important role in keeping our community safe and reduce the chance of serious illness and death from COVID-19. Everyone over the age of 5 is encouraged to get two or three primary doses of the vaccine. I
If you are over 18 and it has been 6 months or longer since your last COVID-19 vaccination or confirmed infection a booster dose is recommended to help maintain protection.
A COVID-19 vaccine booster dose is particularly recommended for people with risk factors for severe illness from COVID-19, including those aged over 65 years and people with weak immune systems, multiple health conditions, disability or complex health needs.
More information on COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.
Vaccinations are available at pharmacies and medical clinics throughout Brimbank.
Book your COVID vaccination or booster online.
To get help booking your COVID-19 vaccine appointment text Hey EVA to 0481 611 382. Someone from the National Coronavirus Helpline will call you back and find you a COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
COVID Connector Program
Brimbank Council’s COVID Connector Program helps community members navigate the information they need around testing, vaccination and what to do if you have COVID-19.
The program is available 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and is staffed by Council team members who can work with residents, agencies and health services to help find the information and supports someone's needs
Phone: 9249 4744
Email: EmergencyManagement@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Additional resources can be found at Ask Izzy, an online search service that can link you to various services and information about housing, food, health, counselling services and more.
Treatments
People with a high risk of getting very sick with COVID-19 can get medicine to help them stay well.
To find out if you are eligible for COVID-19 medicines answer the questions on the COVID-19 medicine check.
After a positive RAT result, eligible people should talk to a doctor bout COVID-19 medicines.
Make an appointment with a local GP or at the Derrimut Respiratory Clinic, Shop 14, 20 Mt Derrimut Road, Derrimut (Rear entrance through Foley Road). Phone: 03 8390 2526.
Alternatively, you could make a video telehealth appointment with the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department.
Staying safe and well
Check out the links below for Victorian Government information on protecting yourself and our community against serious illness from COVID-19.
- Get vaccinated - information on how to book your third or fourth dose with local GPs and pharmacists
- Wear a face mask - to lower your chance of catching and spreading an airborne virus.
- Let fresh air in - good ventilation comes from open windows and doors making it less likely to catch COVID-19.
- Managing COVID-19 at home - help your recovery and get support
- Get tested if unwell - take a test as soon as symptoms occur and isolate for at least 5 days
- Get medicines if at risk - Victorians at risk of severe illness can get medicines to reduce the impact of COVID-19.
Translated information
Read information on COVID-19 in over 60 languages including
- Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
- عربي (Arabic)
- 简体中文 (Chinese Simplified)
- 中國傳統的 (Chinese Traditional)
- မြန်မာ (Burmese)
- Laiholh (Chin Hakha)
- Hrvatski (Croatian)
- Ελληνικά (Greek)
- فارسی (Farsi)
- македонски (Macedonian)
- Türkçe (Turkish)
Talk to a translator call TIS National 131 450.