BOTH Victoria’s north-west and NSW’s Murray regions have experienced more than 10 per cent increases in COVID-19 vaccinations over the past two weeks, but some regional MPs say more jabs must be administered fast.
Vaccination rates for Mildura show that 50.5 per cent of the eligible population have received at least one dose, while 30.6 per cent are now fully vaccinated.
According to Member for Mildura Ali Cupper, the north-west would achieve these targets on October 21 (70 per cent) and November 6 (80 per cent) at current vaccination rates.
Every Victorian aged 16 years and over is now eligible for a vaccine at state-run vaccination centres.
The north-west still lagged behind all other regions in the state except Shepparton, with Geelong and Bendigo leading the way at 38.6 and 38.2 per cent full vaccinations respectively.
In the Murray region on the NSW side of the border – a statistical area stretching from the South Australian border to Albury – full vaccination rates stand at almost 30 per cent, up from 16.7 per cent two weeks ago.
Member for Murray Helen Dalton said the numbers were “very encouraging”, but the region had started from a “low base”.
Despite positive coronavirus cases reported in the Western and Far West NSW health districts, Mrs Dalton said there was still “a problem with (vaccine) supply in rural areas”.
“Many people are struggling to get appointments for vaccinations. They’re waiting weeks and weeks.
“We know the NSW Government took vaccines away from regional NSW to give to Sydney. Many people had their appointments cancelled.
“Now, the NSW Government has since said they’d try and source these vaccines back – but we did a survey, and about 70 per cent of people still haven’t had their vaccine appointment rescheduled.
“I’ve had constituents who are trying to book and they’re telling me they can’t get appointments for four to six weeks.”
Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said dangerous mixed messages about vaccines would lead to vaccine hesitancy.
“Daniel Andrews won’t guarantee that high vaccination rates will actually lead to an end of lockdowns,” he said.
“Every effort must be made to vax as quickly and safely as possible.”
Modelling by the Doherty Institute showed 70 per cent to 80 per cent vaccination levels would lower COVID transmission and mean fewer people with severe illness.
Mr Walsh said mobile vaccine centres to target at-risk cohorts or hot spots, and opening up bookings until the end of the year at all state-run facilities were two ways the State Government could speed up the rollout.
Education Minister James Merlino said last week Year 12 students would be given priority to get vaccinated before sitting their exams, which begin on October 4.
Despite the vaccine announcement, Mr Merlino said he still couldn’t provide a definitive answer as to when schools would reopen.
