Another major milestone achieved

NINETY per cent of Central Victorians aged sixteen years and over have now received their first dose of a vaccine against COVID-19.

Chairman of Bendigo Health, Bob Cameron, said the region hit the major milestone on Monday.

“That’s a great step forward but we’ve got to go further still,” he said. “The thing that has surprised us is that the demand is still pretty good and we want that to continue.”

In Greater Bendigo, first dose childhood vaccination rates sit at 96 per cent and Mr Cameron said if the eligible population reached similar numbers, the region would be well poised for when the state opens back up.

“Let’s try and do that in the next month before Victoria opens up because what happens [is]… there’s going to be lots of people moving around the state, case numbers are going to go up and if you’re vaccinated then you’re going to be safe from getting serious disease,” he said.

Head pharmacist at Terry White Chemist based at the HealthSmart Pharmacy, Claire Yuan, said the facility had administered between 500 to 600 doses of Moderna vaccines in one week.

“It’s usually booked out for the next day or two but then within the week there are plenty of bookings,” she said.

Ms Yuan said their Saturday vaccination clinics have also been fully booked for the past two weeks.

The region is expected to hit 80 per cent full vaccination by the end of the month, according to Mr Cameron.