Dedicated pop-up clinics will open in Melbourne offering a safe space for the LGBTIQ+ community to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Several of the state's youth, health and LGBTIQ+ organisations have teamed up to support queer community access to the jab, as part of Rainbow Vaccination Week from 18 to 24 October.
The Victorian Pride Centre will become a vaccine hub until Sunday to offer a safe space for all intersections of the community.
Cohealth on Drummond Street in Carlton will hold LGBTIQ+ friendly days on Thursday and Friday as part of the initiative, with another pop up at Preston Health Centre on Thursday.
A #FabJab campaign has started online to share information and resources about COVID-19 vaccines, including how they interact with hormone replacement therapy medication and pre-exposure prophylaxis.
Victoria's LGBTIQ+ Commissioner Todd Fernando said the initiative "signals a new way of partnerships between our communities and the Victorian government".
Frock Hudson poses for a photograph at the Victorian Pride Centre in Melbourne, Monday, October 18, 2021. Source: AAP
Cohealth said marginalised community members might be anxious about vaccination because they were reluctant to engage with mainstream services.
"People who are trans and gender diverse might have had previous traumatic experiences in medical or clinical settings, including deadnaming and misgendering," Cohealth said in a statement.
"People from the LGBTQIA+ community may also have questions about how the vaccine interacts with certain medications or hormones."
Meanwhile, another $21 million will be spent to vaccinate those who have faced barriers in getting their COVID-19 jab.
The funding will target those living with a disability, at-risk youth, seniors, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, social housing residents and family violence survivors.
Included is $13 million for those with complex needs, such as those in the child protection system, and will help them book appointments, arrange transport and offer respite or childcare.
There will also be $2.5 million for volunteer organisations such as neighbourhood houses, men's sheds and multicultural groups to encourage their communities to get vaccinated.
The funds further build on the neighbourhood pop-up vaccination clinics that started last week at cafes, shopping centres, bowls clubs and gyms.
