Suburban vax lag alarm

VACCINATION rates in Hobart’s northern suburbs are lagging behind those in neighbouring municipalities – a situation independent Clark MHA Kristie Johnston has described as “very concerning”.

According to federal government data, just 37.5 per cent of the eligible Glenorchy population had been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as at August 27.

This compared to 49.2 per cent in Hobart, 46.2 per cent in

Kingborough, and 44.5 per cent in Clarence.

As at September 7, 63.2 per cent of eligible Tasmanians had received their first vaccine dose, while 46.1 per cent were fully vaccinated, 7.1 per cent above the national average.

Ms Johnston said she was worried about the disparity between vaccination rates in the northern suburbs and the rest of the Greater Hobart Area.

“The northern suburbs (have) high rates of chronic health conditions and this puts them at greater risk from

Covid-19,’’ she said. “It is important the vaccination messaging and rollout is targeted to address the unique challenges facing this community, including an older demographic, lower digital literacy, significant transport disadvantage, and (it is) more multicultural.

“The government needs to do more to make sure that no one misses out.”

The Migrant Resource Centre has been holding vaccine information sessions at KGV, catering to multicultural communities. In the Brighton municipality, 32.7 per cent of the eligible population have received their second dose, while in the Derwent Valley, 33 per cent have.

Brighton Mayor Leigh Gray said the lower vaccination rate there was disappointing, attributing it in part to a lack of public transport options, particularly on weekends.

“People without a motor vehicle and in the absence of regular public transport options would find it difficult to get to Hobart to get vaccinated,” Councillor Shaw said.

Derwent Valley Mayor Ben Shaw said there hadn’t been a vaccination clinic in the region since one was set up for over-70s at the New Norfolk RSL during the early stages of the rollout.

“If the community wants the Pfizer vaccine, they either have to travel to Hobart for it, which isn’t a regular occurrence for many of our community, or continue to wait until it’s available out here,” he said.

A Health Department spokesman acknowledged the lower vaccination rates in the northern suburbs but said pharmacies there had joined the rollout in recent weeks and GPs would soon be able to deliver Pfizer.

“However, we do recognise the need to make vaccinations as accessible as possible to everyone and are planning for additional vaccination clinics to be set up in the coming months in all areas of the state where vaccination levels are lower,” the spokesman said.