50,000th COVID-19 vaccination in MLHD administered in Wagga

Tapiwa Kanduka, the recipient, said the process was both easy and efficient.

He and his family are new to the region, and now that he is fully vaccinated, Mr Kanduka is eager to start his new job in Tumut on Thursday.

He said vaccination against COVID-19 is important to protect yourself and others. Mr Kanduka is also wanting to set a positive example for his two daughters.

"For them to know that vaccination is very important, I have to lead and [get it] myself," he said.

The MLHD's COVID-19 coordinator, Emma Field, said the District is now reaching "that pointy end" of the rollout.

"We're reaching into those groups who haven't had maybe the supply, or groups that maybe don't have access to some of the clinics that are around," she said.

"We want to get these communities at a level where they're all ... as near to complete as possible and we want to make sure every person in the Murrumbidgee ... has had the opportunity to be vaccinated."

Ms Field said that Tuesday was the MLHD's biggest day of vaccination yet, with more than 800 people coming forward across the District to receive a jab.

"That is a significant milestone and that will tell you that people are very serious about getting vaccinated," she said.

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As well as vaccination, there has been a renewed focus on COVID testing in regions such as Edward River, where eight cases have been diagnosed throughout the current outbreak, and in West Wyalong, where there has been a number of COVID detections in the sewage.

In Tumut, more than 60 people have come forward for testing through MLHD clinics since Sunday. On Monday it was revealed a person from outside the region was arrested in town and later tested positive for the virus.

Ms Field said that so far, no positive results have been returned from these tests, but urged people in the community to remain vigilant.

Meanwhile, a third primary shot of the COVID vaccine for severely immunocompromised people is also expected to rollout in the MLHD "within a week or two".

This shot isn't a booster, but is a third shot for those with serious health concerns.

"We are looking now at how we implement that," Ms Field said.

Anyone receiving this third dose will receive either Pfizer or Moderna, no matter what their first doses were.

The MLHD is also awaiting further advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) before any decision is made around booster shots.

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