MALLEE has surged past the key target of 80 per cent first dose vaccination coverage as our fight to live with COVID-19 gains momentum.
With the exception of Mildura Rural City Council, every Local Government Area in Mallee has reached the 80 per cent mark, with Mildura lagging behind on 77.4 per cent for people aged over 15.
But Member for Mallee Anne Webster said while Mildura was lagging behind, it was “no cause for alarm”.
“The rate of uptake in Mildura is still strong,” she said.
“Pharmacies in Mildura and across Mallee now have access to the Moderna vaccine, for all those under the age of 60 years.”
Data released by the Commonwealth Government’s Department of Health shows that 83.10 per cent of the eligible population in Mallee have received at least one dose, while 51.90 per cent have received both doses. Mildura is again behind on second doses with 44.6 per cent.
This week across Mallee, over 7,300 people received their first dose, and around 5,306 people received their second dose.
“This is a fantastic result and puts Mallee in a position to open up safely. It’s reassuring that the rate of uptake has not slowed down,” Dr Webster said.
“We are seeing a steady week-by-week rate of uptake across Mallee, which tells me that people are keen to be vaccinated.”
Swan Hill’s rise over the past three weeks has been rapid, up from 74 per cent to 89.8 per cent first dose, while Buloke Shire has reached an amazing 91.5 per cent.
“I have no doubt that these numbers will continue to rise, and that we may get well over 90 per cent coverage,” Dr Webster said.
“This means we will have all the more confidence to open up and get back to normal life.”
Dr Webster said as the numbers continued to rise, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews needed to provide families and businesses with more confidence that life will begin to look more normal.
“The Premier’s roadmap for delivering the National Plan has been released but needs to provide more certainty and hope for families and businesses,” she said.
“The Premier’s plan needs to show how restrictions will ease to provide greater freedoms once we hit 80 per cent double vaccination.”
