Michaela Meade
Prominent figures in Melbourne’s north are celebrating the area’s success in increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates, amid an outbreak that has seen the north record thousands of cases.
Last week, health department deputy secretary Kate Matson said Hume and Whittlesea’s vaccination rates were “extremely pleasing”, with almost 74 per cent of Hume residents receiving their first vaccine dose as of September 26, and first doses nearing 72 per cent in Whittlesea.
Last month, the municipalities were among the lowest vaccinated areas in the state.
“Hume and Whittlesea… have seen the highest level of first dose in the state in the past week,” Ms Matson said.
“Hume has grown by 9.3 percentage points, and Whittlesea has grown 8.2 per cent. That’s well above the state average.”
Hume mayor Joseph Haweil said the increases were “inspiring”.
“It’s inspiring to see so many people stepping forward to protect not only themselves, but their community,” he said.
Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said she was happy with residents’ enthusiasm for the jab.
“Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeve to get vaccinated this week,” she said.
“We know people in the city of Whittlesea are keen to get back to what they love and businesses are ready to reopen.”
Northern Health operations director – infection prevention, Madelaine Flynn, said: “It feels phenomenal to see the community rally around this vaccination program to protect themselves and their community.
“The northern suburbs have been disproportionately represented in this current outbreak and the community members have done a great job in getting vaccinated.”
Yuroke MP Ros Spence said: “I am so proud of our local community who have shown that with increased availability they were ready to get vaccinated.
“Let’s get this done together and put lockdowns behind us.”
Premier Daniel Andrews last week said: “I must say I’m very, very impressed with Hume, the north and the west.”
“Those northern and western local government areas [are] where we’ve seen a concerted effort [and] really hard work on half of so many people.”
It comes as the vaccine roll-out expanded, with Victorian pharmacies beginning to administer the Moderna vaccine to locals last week.
