The big problem with Victoria's Covid vaccine rollout
A map of Victoria’s coronavirus vaccine rollout has identified a number of key problem areas.
As of Wednesday, more than 56 per cent of Victorians aged 16 years and over are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to the Federal Government’s Operation Covid Shield stats.
Victoria remains behind the ACT, NSW and Tasmania in the percentage of double-dosed residents.
And a new map on Victoria’s health department’s website shows the suburbs lagging behind in the rollout.
Of concern is that many suburbs a stone’s throw from Melbourne’s CBD have less than 40 per cent of their residents aged 12 years and over fully vaccinated.
Carlton has between 20 to 25 per cent of its 12 years and over residents with two doses, while neighbouring North Melbourne and Parkville have just 30-35 per cent and 35-40 per cent respectively.
St Kilda, Prahran, Balaclava, Windsor and South Yarra have similar rates.
However, not all Melbourne suburbs are lagging behind. Affluent areas including Caufield, Brighton, Toorak, Elsternwick, Hampton, Balwyn and Kew have all got more than half of their residents fully vaccinated.
Malvern and Kooyong have more than 60 per cent.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been vocal about national vaccine allocation and suggested the Federal Government has shown favouritism to NSW.
Last month he slammed both the NSW and Federal governments over “unfair” and “secret” vaccine allocations.
He claimed 340,000 vaccine allocations were not made public.
Mr Andrews in August also criticised NSW’s easing of restrictions including picnics for the fully vaccinated with claims the state had received “significant” extra support.
Vic's MPs get the jab
Victoria is also preparing to introduce a mandate for all MPs to be fully vaccinated.
Last Friday, the Victorian government announced all authorised workers, including MPs and their staff, must have received at least one dose of vaccine by October 15 and a second by November 26 to continue working on site.
At the time, Premier Daniel Andrews said the mandate would prevent Victoria's health system from being overwhelmed and protect the roadmap out of lockdown.
Labor's leader in the Legislative Assembly, Jacinta Allan, said the parliament was still working through a process in which MPs would have to declare their vaccination status.
"I've been having discussions with MPs in the assembly, the opposition and crossbenchers and I will say we are working through these issues, constructively," she told reporters outside parliament on Thursday.
"But I also think it's a good leadership position for MPs to be upfront about the decision on the vaccination status, given we're out there every single day pleading with Victorians, asking Victorians to get vaccinated to keep everyone safe.
"This workplace is like every other workplace, we've got to protect ourselves protect the people we sit alongside within the chamber, the great staff who work here."
with AAP
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