MILDURA remains the only major regional centre in Victoria to not have a COVID-19 vaccination centre.
As the state this week announced a five-day vaccination blitz for people who work at vulnerable settings, including those with disabilities and in aged care, the nearest vaccination centre to Mildura is in Bendigo, more than 400km away.
Mildura residents aged between 40 and 49 also can’t get the Pfizer vaccine unless they travel more than four hours.
Sunraysia Community Health Services’ website states: “As you have may heard …. Victorians aged 40-49 years will be able to access to the Pfizer vaccine at state run vaccination sites.
“Currently our vaccination clinic is unable to provide Pfizer vaccinations as we are not a state run vaccination site and don’t have a supply of Pfizer. We will continue to keep you up to date about this via our social media channels as more information comes to hand.”
Sunraysia Daily on Tuesday sent questions to the office of Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley to find out why Mildura still doesn’t have a facility, asking:
- Why does Mildura not have a vaccination centre?
- When can Mildura expect to have a vaccination centre?
- When will 40 to 49-year-olds have access to Pfizer vaccines in Mildura?
- What are the options for Mildura aged-care workers to get vaccinations?
At the time of going to print, the State Government had not responded.
There is a big irony in all of this.
The Victorian Government obviously doesn’t see Mildura as a high priority based on risk assessment, yet it binds Mildura to the same restrictions as the rest of the state.
So we are locked down and masked up at the minute risk of movement of positive cases to Mildura, but on the other hand, the State Government doesn’t see the need to roll out vaccinations here at the same rate as everywhere else.
Aged Care Minister Luke Donnellan said aged-care and disability workers needed to be prioritised in the rollout of this latest vaccination blitz.
“All dedicated and hardworking aged-care and disability workers need easy access to the vaccine, so we’re making it easier for them,” he said on Tuesday.
“This is very much about trying to stimulate that demand.”
But how is it easier for Mildura people?
The participating hubs are: Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne Showgrounds, Sandown Racecourse, the former Ford Factory in Geelong, Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre, Bendigo Community Clinic, Wodonga vaccination hub, Shepparton Showgrounds and Traralgon Racecourse.
“This is very much a call to arms of those workers on the front line to come out,” Mr Donnellan said.
That’s great, Mr Donnellan. We will just fill up the tank, roll up our sleeves and see you in five or so hours.
All in this together? We have to wonder.
