By Oliver Lees
Hume and Macedon Ranges councils are ramping up their campaigns to keep the community informed during the pandemic, with the focus now shifting to encouraging residents to get their third COVID-19 vaccination.
With federal government data for February 2 indicating that 93 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received two doses of a COVID-19 jab, the focus of government and council has pivoted to reminding those who are eligible to book in for their booster.
In Sunbury, 35 per cent of the community’s eligible population has received a third dose.
Last year the municipality battled through significant surges of high case numbers by developing a strong vaccination campaign.
As reported by Star Weekly, Hume recorded a 11.4 per cent growth in its double-dosed population in October 2021, the biggest weekly increase of any council area in the country.
Hume council pandemic response manager Brooke Watson said two new campaigns will be launched in the municipality vaccination for those requiring a third dose and for children aged 5 to 11.
The digital strategy will feature community members sharing their motivations for getting the jab.
“Our proudly diverse community is rising to the challenge again, with more than 46,000 of
our adult population rolling up their sleeves to receive the third,” Ms Watson said.
“Locals can walk up to Town Hall Broadmeadows, the old Ford Factory in Campbellfield or
visit our ongoing weekly community pop-ups at Kalkallo Community Centre, Newbury Child
and Community Centre, Aitken Hill Community Centre, or Broadmeadows Community Hub.”
In the Macedon Ranges, council will continue to push its ‘Get the Jab Done’ message, which helped to drive some of the highest vaccination numbers in Victoria.
Areas such as Malmsbury, Woodend and Trentham have already recorded more than 50 per cent of its eligible population having received a third dose.
But Macedon Ranges council chief executive Bernie O’Sullivan said it was important for the community to remain vigilant in protecting themselves and the community.
“I encourage all those who had their second dose, three or more months ago, to book in for their third dose vaccination if they haven’t already,” she said.
“The more people vaccinated, the greater protection our Shire has against COVID-19.”
