North East reacts to expanded COVID-19 vaccination eligibility

Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday announced Victorians would be eligible for Pfizer on top of AstraZeneca from Wednesday.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison had previously announced that 16 to 39 year old's across the nation would be eligible for Pfizer from August 30.

It comes as NSW reported 753 cases on Tuesday, Victoria recorded 50, including seven linked to the Shepparton cluster and the Murrumbidgee Local Health District released new venues of concern in the Riverina after several sites were visited by a positive case of COVID-19.

Nathalia, Cobram and Numurkah Health Cobram director of clinical services Carolyn Hargreaves said she was excited to expand the vaccination program to include the younger cohort.

"There has been quite a lot of interest in this next stage of the vaccination rollout and we are confident uptake from this age group will be very strong," she said.

"We have, however, also seen a number of young people opting to have the AstraZeneca vaccine after speaking with our immunisation nurse and providing informed consent.

"We think the shift in opinion toward Astra Zeneca is testament to our community wanting to see an end to lockdowns and restrictions."

Alpine Health chief executive Nick Shaw said Alpine coronavirus vaccination clinics would start operating five days a week from tomorrow to meet the increased eligibility.

"All clinics are by appointment only," he said.

"These additional local mobile clinics will provide greater access to the vaccines for our local communities."

Those now eligible will need to book by phoning 1800 675 398 or online at portal.cvms.vic.gov.au .

Albury Wodonga Health did not provide a spokesperson for comment.

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Meanwhile, the latest geographical vaccination statistic shows 59.4 per cent Victoria's Hume residents aged 16 and above have received their first COVID-19 vaccination, while 33.4 per cent are fully vaccinated.

NSW Murray resident vaccination rates have similarly increased, with 56.5 per cent vaccinated with their first dose and 28.7 per cent fully vaccinated.

Hume still sits at 4^th spot for the most first doses administered in Victoria, while NSW has dropped again this week, now sitting at 15th place.

When the data was first released at the start of the month Murray was equal 9th with the Central Coast.

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Despite increasing vaccination rates, Border authorities remain on alert.

Moira Shire chief executive Clare Keenan said she was "very concerned" with positive cases in Shepparton and one in the Lachlan shire sandwiching her council area.

"We certainly are, the interaction obviously between our town and Shepparton is a lot, so we certainly are concerned," she said.

"We're really trying our best, especially being a border area, we don't want anyone to burst our bubble.

"We're certainly working very hard to further that we are one place and we're one area, and our residents are really making an effort to get fully vaccinated."

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said 41 per cent of eligible adults in the Edward River council area, which is also located between the Lachlan and Shepparton council areas, were double dosed.

Edward River mayor Norm Brennan said residents had been on alert for the last 18 months.

"I could not be more than proud of our community here, we haven't had one positive test," he said.

"In fact, I was on a hook up with [the Murrumbidgee Local Health District's] Jill Ludford on Friday and she gave Edward River Council a little tick of approval.

"She said we've been leading the way in the MLHD which is pleasing, but I'd still encourage everyone, let's get over that 85 per cent and then we can probably take a breath."

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