Region reaches vaccine milestone

PUBLIC health services and GP clinics across the Loddon Mallee region have administered more than one hundred thousand COVID-19 vaccinations in an effort to reach herd immunity against the disease.

About 86,000 people, or one quarter of the Loddon Mallee population, have received their first dose which Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit director Dr Casey Nottage said was a positive step.

“We know a good portion of the population, in particular under 16s, are not yet eligible for the vaccine, so to have good overall numbers for first doses is fantastic,” she said.

Some 14,000 people in the region are fully vaccinated against the disease.

“Herd immunity is the ultimate goal of the vaccination program, so we encourage everyone in the region to get vaccinated when they are eligible,” Dr Nottage said.

Bendigo Health has administered about 36,000 doses, 25,000 of which were given at the mass vaccination hub on Mollison Street.

The vaccination hub will focus on administering second doses of the vaccine in the next phase of the roll out, with first doses given subject to supply.

Other public health services rolling out the vaccine in the region include Castlemaine Health, Echuca Regional Health, Sunraysia Community Health Services and Swan Hill District Hospital.

GP clinics have matched the rollout efforts of the public health services, administering about half of the total number of vaccines.

Murray Primary Health Network CEO Matt Jones said GP clinics play an important role in delivering the vaccine close to home, particularly for older Loddon Mallee residents.

“For many people in regional areas, their regular GP is a trusted source of health information,” he said.

“The average age of people being vaccinated by GPs is just over 70 years, while the oldest person to receive a vaccination by a GP was 107.”