MILDURA has jumped to being two per cent above the state average as new figures yesterday revealed nearly 20 million Australian adults are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The federal government’s Operation COVID Shield reports that 19.7 million people are fully jabbed – or 95 per cent of people aged 16 or older.
Nearly 13.5 million people have had a booster shot, or 69.4 per cent of the eligible population, while 706,824 adults have had a fourth shot.
Mildura was three per cent behind the state average at the start of February for people aged 16 or older, but since then more than 1500 doses have been administered and 23 pop up clinics held.
According to a statement from Sunraysia Community Health Services, however, almost one in three people have not yet received a booster and are a higher risk going into winter.
Other areas in the Loddon Mallee have even higher rates and Mildura lags behind the region average by seven per cent.
“In February 2022, Mildura was three per cent behind the state average for third dose vaccination, and we were really concerned to close this gap,” Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit director Dr Bruce Bolam said.
“We’ve seen vaccination rates improve markedly and Mildura now sits above the state average by 2 per cent – a great achievement worth celebrating. We won’t be resting on our laurels however, as almost one in three eligible people in Mildura still have not received a booster, so there’s much work still to do.”
SCHS chief executive Simone Heald said now was not the time get complacent.
“With winter quickly approaching, children at school, workplaces back at full capacity, large events and travel in full swing, there are plenty of reasons to keep on top of vaccination efforts and remain COVID safe,” she said.
SCHS, in conjunction with the Northern Mallee Covid coordinator from Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit, are holding weekly pop-up vaccination clinics and weekend clinics at SCHS, 137 Thirteenth St, Mildura.
“To increase access to vaccinations for our community, SCHS continues working closely with our local services partners to facilitate a targeted pop-up clinic approach,” Ms Heald said.
“SCHS would like to thank the Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit, Mildura Rural City Council, Mildura City Heart, MDAS, SMECC, East End Community House, Hands Up Mallee, Mildura Central Shopping Centre, Bushman’s Caravan Park and Sunraysia Farmers Markets for providing accessible, safe and convenient locations for our pop-up clinics to take place to date.
“Our community paramedics and Covid-19 vaccination teams are actively listening to the community and local businesses to ensure the pop-up clinics and outreach programs take place where they’re most required.”
Attending any of the clinics is free-of-charge, you don’t need an appointment, and you don’t require a Medicare card.
Clinic dates and times are listed at www.schs.com.au, and updates can be found on the SCHS Facebook and Instagram pages.
In the latest 24-hour Covid-19 data, NSW recorded 10,321 new cases and 17 deaths, with 1538 in hospital with 55 in ICU.
Victoria’s numbers were at 12,722 new cases, 18 deaths, 519 in hospital with 34 in ICUFacts and figures
