As the COVID-19 vaccination rollout continues, the Riverina is nearing a fully vaccinated rate of 90 per cent.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As of Monday 87.1 per cent of Riverina residents over the age of 15 have been fully vaccinated against COVID, while more than 95 per cent have had their first dose.
The vaccination rate is similar in the Wagga local government area with 87.8 per cent of residents double-dosed, and more than 95 per cent having had at least one dose.
Nearly all Riverina LGAs have achieved a first-dose vaccination rate of more than 95 per cent, aside from four areas.
Bland has almost hit the milestone, sitting at a first-dose rate of 94 per cent, as well as the Murrumbidgee LGA with 91.2 per cent.
Junee is slightly behind with a single-dose rate of 84.3 per cent, while the Edward River LGA is trailing behind significantly at 68.2 per cent.
On Monday Murrumbidgee Local Health District's chief executive Jill Ludford expressed concerns around the vaccination rate in children, with no vaccine available for those under 12 and time still needed to grow the double-dose rate for those aged 12 to 16.
She said the effects of this lower vaccination rate are playing out in Albury, with a large number of cases involving school children, and urged parents to bring their children forward for vaccination.
"As we've seen once COVID cases get into schools it is very very difficult and whilst children don't necessarily become particularly unwell, that then just spreads the virus to other vulnerable gaps in our community," Ms Ludford said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Meanwhile, the MLHD conducted more than 6000 COVID tests in the week leading up to November 1.
2027 of these were residents of the Wagga LGA.
"We're still getting a really good response," Ms Ludford said, saying the current turnaround time for tests in MLHD clinics is between 24 and 36 hours.
"Some of it depends on the time of which you get tested, but for people who are testing in the morning here in Wagga they will generally have their results within 24 hours."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters