Elsie Lange
Forty per cent of Hume residents are “not protected” from coronavirus, despite the municipality having been one of the hardest-hit by the pandemic in 2021 spurring a concerted and successful second-dose vaccination campaign.
In 2023, less than 60 per cent of Hume residents have had a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, making them the least vaccinated in the state – Burnet Institute epidemiologist Professor Michael Toole said they “may as well have had no vaccine”.
“That is just unacceptable… If you’ve had a third dose you’re probably protected against severe illness and hospitalisation, but if you’ve only had two doses, you’re not protected,” he said.
There were 149 COVID-related deaths reported to the Victorian Department of Health to the week of January 27, with an average of 21 deaths each day.
Professor Toole said the continued loss of life across the country was “stark” and should be a more central part of messaging around the benefits of vaccination with campaigns mirroring those about road tolls or smoking.
He said community engagement was low when it came to understanding under vaccinated people in communities like Hume, where there was “no published research” on those who hadn’t had a third or fourth dose.
With free rapid antigen tests (RATs) now available through local councils, at local libraries or at council customer service centres, he said it was also vital that PCR testing was more readily available.
To get a PCR test, residents have to visit a GO respiratory clinic or have a GP refer them to a pathology provider – in Sunbury residents can head to the Goonawarra Medical Sunbury Respiratory Clinic.
Hume mayor Joseph Haweil said council would continue to work with the state government to spread the message to residents to get vaccinated, distribute RATs and encourage residents to stay safe from the virus.
“I would encourage any residents of Hume City that are eligible for their next COVID vaccination to book an appointment with their doctor to receive this dose as soon as possible,” Cr Haweil said.
