Young people can access COVID-19 jabs VICTORIA’S sixth lockdown continues into this week, with 11 cases recorded statewide on 9 August. There are currently four active cases of COVID-19 among Frankston residents, in postcodes 3198 and 3199. As of 9 August there is just one local exposure site. United Petroleum in Baxter was listed as a tier two site after a positive COVID-19 case attended it between 7.15am and 7.30am on 26 July. From this week, 18 to 39-year-olds will be able to get AstraZeneca vaccines at some state run vaccination hubs, as long as they provide informed consent. The vaccine clinic at Bayside Shopping Centre will offer AstraZeneca jabs to young people willing to get the shot. At a press conference on 8 August, Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said that young people should seriously consider taking the AstraZeneca jab. “I’d say to any person between 18 and 39 considering getting vaccinated with AstraZeneca, speak to your GP, understand those really, really remote risks and make that informed decision,” he said. “I’m a 52-year-old bloke, if I were 25 and AstraZeneca was the only vaccine available to me today, I would get it. Of course, it’s your individual choice but I have said all the way through that the best vaccine to get is the one that’s available to you today. You will get protection from that first vaccine. You get very, very good protection from being fully vaccinated.” The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advises that the AstraZeneca jab reduces the risk of hospitalisation from COVID-19 by 92 per cent. Victoria was plunged into a one week lockdown on Thursday, 5 August. The restrictions are largely the same as they have been for the prior lockdowns. People can only leave their homes to shop for essentials, exercise for up to two hours, caregiving, authorised work or education, or to get vaccinated.
A PENINSULA Health staff member monitors patients after they received their COVID-19 jabs. Picture: Supplied
Frankston Times
10 August 2021
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