Tara Murray
Less than half of all eligible Brimbank residents have received their first COVID-19 vaccination dose, according to new data.
Data released by the federal government data shows that as of August 27, just 45.4 per cent of Brimbank residents over the age of 16 had received their first dose.
At the same date, 25.1 per cent of eligible residents in Brimbank had received their second dose.
Both of these were among the lowest in the state, with Greater Dandenong and Hume the only municipalities with lower rates for both doses.
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network chief executive Chris Carter previously said there were a number of reasons for the low vaccine rate in Melbourne’s north-west.
He highlighted the younger age demographic and the nature of the workforce which comprises essential service workers with jobs that involve long hours.
Brimbank mayor Ranka Rasic said council continues to support and promote the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out and ongoing testing for COVID-19.
“Council is working with the Department of Health and IPC Health to ensure that residents have access to vaccination and testing sites,” she said.
“Council is also working on a range of other local vaccination and testing initiatives. Brimbank will continue to offer support to ensure an effective roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination program.”
Council is supporting IPC Health to reach people in social and public housing with vaccination pop ups, and supporting IPC Health bilingual workers to provide information in their communities about vaccination and testing.
Cr Rasic said the council would this month mail out vaccine information to about 80,000 properties, while the council is also participating in the West Metro Vaccination Plan Working Committee.
