SWAN Hill residents are being urged to roll up their sleeves for the third time with the rural city’s booster rates well down on where they could be.
There are just over 50 per cent of residents who have received their booster shot, despite 90 per cent of residents now eligible to receive their booster shot.
There has been some recent confusion as changes to eligibility from the Victorian Government reduced the amount of time needed before you could receive your third shot in response to rising case numbers.
Currently the waiting period from the second to third vaccine was three months, so the 90 per cent of residents who received their second dose by October 26 were eligible as of January 26.
Swan Hill nurse Nicole McKay encouraged everyone who was eligible to turn up for their booster as she reminded people of the success of the vaccination rollout so far.
“Although there have been high numbers of cases in our community, and across Victoria, the numbers of people hospitalised and experiencing severe illness, of mortality, is very low,” she said.
“This is evidence that the vaccines have been very effective.
“The vaccination program has saved lives.”
“The statistics from the Victorian Department of Health show this, the unvaccinated making up higher numbers of those experiencing severe illnesses and hospitalised.
“Getting a booster increases your immunity.
“It will protect our community from excessive illness into this year.”
Ms McKay said there were numerous locations to book in a booster, as some centres allowed for walk-in.
“If it has been three months since your vaccination you are now eligible for a booster,” she said.
“Boosters can be sourced at our pharmacies, medical clinics, and the Swan Hill District Health COVID vaccination clinic.
“They are free and available to all, Medicare is not required.”
Ms McKay noticed how some people have been hesitant to receive the vaccine, but stressed the importance of receiving it not only to protect yourself, but the whole community.
“I understand people’s hesitation, but I encourage the community to have faith in the research and the work of medical science,” she said.
“Science has some wonderful successes during my own lifetime.”
“Due to scientific advances, HIV is now treatable, Hepatitis C is curable, and there are great advances in treating many types of cancers.”
The success of vaccination rates across the state has meant that businesses and horticulture and other agriculture industries have been able to keep open despite the highest infection rates we have seen since the pandemic began.
“COVID has posed huge challenges to the community, but the vaccination program has been very successful, and is integral to our society opening up safely,” Ms McKay said.
“In addition to the vaccines, COVID treatments are improving.
“I think we ought to be celebrating the success in combatting the pandemic in Australia.”
