News Community

Oldies urged to get their next COVID jab

IT’S game on again. People aged 50 to 64 are urged to front up ASAP and get their fourth dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. Others aged 30 to 49 years may choose to have a fourth shot. Those newly eligible to get their fourth dose can front up...

by Michael Giles

Published July 10, 2022

Oldies urged to get their next COVID jab — The COVID-19 bus is headed this way just in time for the roll out of the fourth jab.

IT’S game on again. People aged 50 to 64 are urged to front up ASAP and get their fourth dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine.

Others aged 30 to 49 years may choose to have a fourth shot.

Those newly eligible to get their fourth dose can front up at the usual local vaccination places from this Monday, July 11.

And there will be an additional chance to get your next shot when the mobile vaccination bus comes to town.

No appointments required. Children must present proof of age.

Check out these Gippsland Region Public Health Unit mobile vaccination times:

* LEONGATHA: Wednesday 20 July - 9.30am – 3pm, McIndoe Park

* MIRBOO NORTH: Tuesday 12 July – 9.30am - 3pm, Baromi Park

* SAN REMO: Friday 22 July - 10am – 2pm, Marine Parade

* WONTHAGGI: Thursday 14 July & Saturday 30 July - 10am – 2pm, Wonthaggi Town Hall

* YARRAM: Wednesday 13 July - 9.30am – 3pm, Memorial Park

From Monday this week, an additional 7.4 million people will now be eligible to receive a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose after the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) updated its recommendations.

This will help provide additional protection from severe disease against the emerging surge of Omicron subvariant infections and reduce the burden on Australian hospitals and the health care system in coming months.

The Australian Government has accepted the recommendations of the ATAGI vaccine experts and will open the fourth dose to those newly eligible from Monday, July 11.

ATAGI specifically recommended that people aged 50 to 64 years should have their fourth dose, while people aged 30 to 49 years may choose to have a fourth shot.

ATAGI reiterated that people who had already been eligible for the fourth dose, including those aged 65 years and over, remain at higher risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19.

As at July 7, 2022, 60 per cent of people aged 65 years and over have had their fourth dose. People who haven’t already received it are strongly encouraged to have it as soon as possible.

ATAGI also recommended the interval between vaccine doses, or prior infection (whichever comes later), be reduced from four months to three months to provide earlier additional protection.

Here are some other Gippsland mobile vaccination dates:

* BAIRNSDALE: Friday 15 July & Friday 29 July - 10am – 2pm, Howitt Park

* YARRAGON: Saturday 16 July - 10am – 3pm, Main Street

* ROSEDALE: Tuesday 19 July - 9.30am – 3pm, Rosedale roundabout, Thursday 21 July - 10am – 3pm, Goods Shed

* SALE: Saturday 23 July - 10am – 3pm, Port of Sale

* RAWSON: Tuesday 26 July - 10am – 3pm, Murie Street

* TOONGABBIE: Wednesday 27 July - 9.30am - 3pm, Toongabbie Recreation Reserve

* OMEO: Thursday 28 July - Noon - 4pm, AM Pearson Historical Park.