MILDURA is tracking to hit the 80 per cent first dose COVID-19 vaccination rate within 10 days, as neighbouring Swan Hill reached the milestone with its eligible population last week.
Mildura Rural City Council hit the 70 per cent first dose mark last week, with data released by the Commonwealth Government's Department of Health showing that over 40 per cent had received both doses.
Member for Mallee Anne Webster said at the current rate the 80 per cent milestone would be reached within a fortnight.
"Almost 3,000 people received their first dose last week in the Mildura region, while almost 1,500 people received their second dose," she said.
"The rest of Mallee is doing exceptionally well with the roll out. 77.40 per cent of the eligible population living in Northwest Victoria have had their first dose, while 48 per cent are fully vaccinated. Our region is outpacing the state average, which currently sits 72.61 per cent for first doses, and 44.10 per cent for both doses. Based on the current trend, Mallee should hit 80 per cent first dose coverage within days."
The new data comes after the Premier for Victoria, Daniel Andrews, announced his roadmap for delivering the National Plan in Victoria.
"While our vaccine numbers are really promising, I know the Premier's roadmap was not what we most were hoping for," Dr Webster said.
"In my view, the roadmap doesn't go far enough to outline how we will get back to a COVID normal life with minimal restrictions. It has left us with more questions, rather than answers. Why are only 10 patrons permitted in a venue whose capacity is 300 proportionate? What happened to the 4 square metre rule?"
Dr Webster said the Victorian Government's roadmap did not give business owners the confidence they need to make decisions for the rest of the year.
"This week we sadly learnt that one of Mildura's iconic restaurants, the Spanish Bar and Grill, will shut up shop," she said.
"This is not the first and sadly won't be last of our otherwise successful businesses to close their doors for good. The Premier needs to provide hope for our regions, especially as we continue to have no community spread of COVID-19. We need certainty and proportionality."
