MILDURA’S COVID-19 vaccination rate is still lagging behind the rest of regional Victoria – but one Mallee shire is “leading by example”, notching up the state’s second-highest quota of fully-vaccinated residents.
Department of Health data released last week, which broke down the nationwide vaccine rollout by local government area for the first time, showed Mildura had the lowest first-dose take-up of any regional municipality in Victoria, at 50.5 per cent, and 30.6 per cent fully vaccinated.
Swan Hill was ahead of Mildura, with 57.5 per cent of residents having got their first jab and 34.3 per cent double dosed.
Across the river, Wentworth Shire was in the same ball park as Mildura on 51 per cent single-dosed and 29.5 per cent fully vaccinated, while Balranald had the second-lowest first-jab rate in NSW at 43.9 per cent, and just 27.2 per cent fully vaccinated.
Neighbouring Murray River LGA, though, held NSW’s silver medal for vaccination uptake, with an impressive 79.1 per cent first dose rate putting the region well on track to meet vaccination targets in coming weeks.
Likewise, the southern Mallee shire of Buloke is Victoria’s second-most fully vaccinated LGA, on 48.4 per cent double jabbed, with 71.6 per cent of residents having rolled up their sleeve for their first dose.
The shire’s efforts drew praise from the “incredibly proud” Member for Mildura Ali Cupper, who urged Sunraysia residents to “be like Buloke”.
“Once again this community is showing us how it’s done,” she said.
“Close to two and a half thousand people in Buloke are now fully vaccinated, despite the fact the closest mass vaccination clinics are in Bendigo, Horsham and Mildura.
“What makes this feat even more incredible is Buloke’s one of only two Victorian LGAs to have not recorded a single case of coronavirus across the entire pandemic.”
The only LGA ahead of Buloke is the tiny Borough of Queenscliffe, at the mouth of Port Phillip Bay.
The spirit of friendly competition has pushed the mayors of the two councils to raise the stakes as they race to be the first in Victoria to reach the national target of 80 per cent full vaccination.
They have issued a challenge to the residents of their respective shires to arm themselves against COVID-19, with the mayor of the “losing” LGA to host the winner for dinner and a night of accommodation in their patch to enjoy spectacular tourist destinations, which in Buloke Shire include Lake Tyrell and the Silo Art Trail.
On Wednesday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews also upped the stakes of the vaccine rollout, flagging 70 per cent first-dose vaccination as the point the state would begin to ease out of lockdown.
Victoria is expected to hit that threshold around September 23.
According to Ms Cupper, if last week’s increased vaccine uptake rate in north-west Victoria continues, it could mean people in Sunraysia would be able to taste freedom faster.
“The jump in our weekly vaccination rate means that if we maintain this pace, we could meet our targets earlier than we expect,” she said.
“Targets are being met as we speak, as (Tuesday) marks the day 60 per cent of people in North West Victoria have received their first vaccine.
“I know there’s still lengthy queues and vaccination obstacles in our area, but I’d encourage people to seek out available bookings and join in the effort.”
