Yarrawonga Chronicle

Vaccine uptake in twin towns

BY EMMA PRIOR

The local community is continuing to advance well with vaccination rates and are a step closer to even more eased restrictions once 70 percent of both states’ populations have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

As of Monday, Mulwala hit 80-89 percent of residents who have received one dose with more than half of the population (50-59 percent) fully vaccinated.

Across the whole Federation Council as of Monday, 74.1 percent had received their first dose while 38.3 percent were fully vaccinated.

In the Moira Shire over 70 percent of the population have received their first dose of either the Astra Zeneca or Pfizer vaccine while more than 41 percent had received both doses.

Yarrawonga Health Director of Medical Services Dr Ka Chun Tse said that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to leave devastating impacts however there is a glimmer of hope.

“With a significant proportion of our aged and vulnerable population vaccinated, the death rate in the New South Wales outbreak is a great deal lower than what we observed last winter in Victoria - before any vaccination was available,” Dr Ka Chun Tse said.

“As is the number of serious hospitalisations.

“The people of Moira Shire are punching above their weight with COVID vaccinations, at 70% single dosed and 41.7% double dosed as of September 5. This compares with the Victorian average of 63.5% single dosed and 39.4% double dosed as of September 8.

“This is a clear, real-world demonstration of the protective power of vaccines - for all of us as individuals, for our families and communities, and for our healthcare services.

“Vaccines are also a key platform of our way out of repeated, lengthy and devastating lockdowns.

“Please get vaccinated, for yourself, your loved ones and your community! Please also remember all of the other public health measures that have already saved thousands of lives around Australia.

“On behalf of all of the healthcare workers toiling away at Yarrawonga Health, I thank you for doing all of that.”

Yarrawonga Health also offered a private priority clinic to 160 school students from the local area on Saturday, September 4 via invitation through working with the local schools and parent community.

The clinic was fully booked, and a follow up clinic will be happening in early October for their second dose.

Yarrawonga Health, Yarrawonga Medical Clinic, Yarrawonga Denis Medical Group, Terry White Chemmart and Mulwala Pharmacy are all conducting COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment by ringing the clinics or pharmacies directly.

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2021-09-15T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-15T07:00:00.0000000Z

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