Community leaders, emergency service chiefs and frontline health workers have united in support of Albury-Wodonga lifting vaccination rates to reduce the chances of further COVID-19 related border closures and lockdowns.
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They gathered in Albury's QEII Square on Friday to encourage people to sign-up for the jab at the Wodonga vaccination hub, which has capacity to administer up to 100 more vaccinations per day presently, and other providers.
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley, who had his second dose of AstraZeneca this week, said governments were laying the ground work for those fully vaccinated enjoying greater freedoms in the future.
But in the short-term, higher vaccination rates, could end the case for snap lockdowns.
"If we have a high percentage of our population who have been vaccinated we will make it very challenging for state governments to restrict our livelihoods," he said.
"We need to own this, take personal responsibility and go and get protected.
"It's the best way out because 18 months down the track we are experiencing the same thing."
Member for Albury Justin Clancy said increased vaccination rates were "best way forward out of this pandemic".
"Make sure you are on a waiting list so when the opportunity is there (providers) can be reaching out to make sure you get the vaccine," he said.
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The Wodonga vaccination hub hit a daily record of 570 doses in the previous Victorian lockdown, but in the latest shutdown it was averaging around 400 each day with capacity for 100 more.
Albury Wodonga Health chief executive Michael Kalimnios said supply wasn't an issue in Wodonga and sub hubs at Wangaratta, Beechworth and Corryong.
"That process has been refined and developed and is working really, really well at the moment," he said.
Murray River police district chief Superintendent Paul Smith said border closures had to end.
"Border region residents have been through a heap in the last 18 months the sooner we can get to a stage where we are vaccinated, where we can get back to some normality, the better for everyone," he said.
Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Stewart Alexander said firefighters had been urged to get the jab.
"It's important we keep borders open and life as normal as possible," he said.
"Our firefighters are being encouraged to get vaccinated to keep critical emergency services up and running."
Real estate agent Will Bonnici said greater vaccination take up would ease business the pain in hospitality, accommodation and tourism.
"The stop start nature of opening up, shutting down is really effecting not only businesses economically, but morale of staff.
Albury-Wodonga trailed other regional centres in Victoria on vaccination rates and Mr Tilley urged the community to step up.
"We don't want to be a boat anchor in all this," he said.
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