By Cam Lucadou-Wells and Shelby Brooks
Cardinia Shire has almost reached the 50 per cent fully vaccinated target.
As of 4 October, 48.9 per cent of residents 16-and-over were fully vaxxed with two shots.
84.7 per cent had received at least a single dose.
The council area trails the Melbourne metro average of 50.7 per cent double-vaccinated but is doing better than the 81.5 per cent single dose.
Meanwhile, Melbourne’s South East has been labelled as a Covid “area of concern” due to soaring infections.
A 100,000-dose Moderna vaccine blitz has been announced for 10 clinics across Melbourne until 10 October, including at Sandown Racecourse and Palm Plaza in Dandenong.
In a statement, Monash Health stated Moderna offered “high protection” to new Covid-19 variants, including Delta.
“The Moderna vaccine is safe in pregnancy and in children from 12 years of age.
“The Moderna vaccine has been successfully rolled out in many countries across the world including the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France, and Singapore.”
Monash Health chief executive Andrew Stripp said there was “no time to hesitate”.
“Covid-19 cases are increasing across Melbourne’s South East.
“Get vaccinated now to protect yourself, your family and the community.”
Mr Stripp said Moderna was “safe and highly effective in protecting people against Covid-19”.
“The sooner we get vaccinated, the sooner we return to the life we all know and cherish.”
Vaccine appointments can also be made at Sandown Racecourse and participating GP clinics and pharmacists.
Bookings: http://portal.cvms.vic.gov.au/ or FindAPharmacy.Com.Au or https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/about-immunisation/where-can-i-get-immunised.
