BOTH Victoria’s north-west and NSW’s Murray regions have experienced more than 10 per cent increases in Covid vaccinations over the past two weeks, but leaders say more jabs must be administered fast.
According to the latest Australian Government data, 31.5 per cent of north-west Victoria’s population of 15 and older is now fully vaccinated.
More than half (54.2 per cent) have received at least one dose.
The Doherty Institute modelling showed once we achieve 70 per cent to 80 per cent vaccination, we would see less transmission of Covid and fewer people with severe illness, and therefore fewer hospitalisations and deaths.
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).
Every Victorian aged 16 years and over is now eligible to access a Covid vaccine at state-run vaccination centres.
Anyone aged 18 to 59 is eligible to receive either Pfizer or AstraZeneca – with people aged 16 to 17 able to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Those aged 60 and over will continue to receive AstraZeneca.
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 28.7 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.
“Victorians need to know that if they do the right thing and roll up their sleeves and get the jab, there’s some light at the end of the tunnel but the Premier can’t even guarantee us that.”
Mr Walsh said mobile vaccine centres to target at-risk cohorts or hotspots, 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.
ALL final year students will be given priority to get vaccinated before sitting their exams, which begin on October 4.
“The priority for us is to make sure that all final-year students have received their vaccination before they start sitting their exams on October 4,” Education Minister James Merlino said.
“We do have a priority to make sure that all Year 12 students are vaccinated by the time we start exams.”
Mr Merlino said the quickest path to reach 70 per cent vaccination rates was to expand eligibility.
He said the state government would be asking the commonwealth for extra supply.
“We want our year 12s vaccinated, we want students aged over 12 to have at least one dose, but that is going to be subject to supply,” he said.
“We need that supply. As soon as we get it, we will be putting it into arms.
“This is about sending a very strong message to Year 12 students, particularly in their final months, giving them confidence and clarity that they can, you know, really tackle their last few months of study and give it their best shot.”
Despite the vaccine announcement, Mr Merlino said he still couldn’t provide a definitive answer as to when schools would reopen.
“It is always, and has to be, subjected to public health advice,” he said. “I want kids back at schools as soon as possible.”
Mr Merlino also confirmed there would be no penalties for students that choose to not get vaccinated.
