5611 new cases, three deaths; Victoria’s daily booster rate dropping dramatically

Three more Victorians have died with Covid as the state’s booster rate drastically slumped, with one thing blamed for the falling uptake.

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Complacency is creeping into Victoria’s Covid booster rollout as daily rates slowed drastically last week and authorities looked for ways to accelerate uptake before winter.

It comes as Victoria recorded 5611 new Covid cases and three deaths in the past 24 hours.

Currently, 361 Victorians are in hospital with Covid, including 49 receiving intensive care. Of those, 11 are on a ventilator.

A Herald Sun analysis shows just 193,510 vaccine doses were administered over the five days to Friday last week, down from a peak of 328,842 doses for the same period in mid-January.

Pop-up clinics at shopping centres, railway stations and sports events are being considered to help reach those waiting to get their third shot, with on-site workplace vaccination programs also seen as crucial once work-from-home guidance is eased in coming weeks.

Authorities will this week discuss whether a second booster is needed for immunocompromised people before winter, and how they’ll manage the flu season.

At least 50,000 doses a day had been administered on each weekday since January 9, peaking at 74,536 doses on January 20 – the day after the interval between second and third shots was slashed to three months at state hubs.

But the daily rate fell below 40,000 six times last week. As of Sunday, 55 per cent of eligible Victorians had received their booster shot.

Senior figures in the rollout say the slowdown is due to several factors including confusion on when to get a booster shot after contracting the virus, as well as headlines suggesting the Omicron variant is not as severe.

While Australia’s booster program remains among the world’s fastest, vaccine rollout chief Lieutenant General John Frewen said: “There does appear to be some complacency coming in.”

“Omicron is a dangerous virus and I would urge everyone eligible to get your booster as soon as possible so you stay up to date and remain protected against Covid,” General Frewen said.

“Don’t risk getting Covid, and to anyone who’s had it and incorrectly thinks they can’t get Covid again, you still need to come forward and get a booster.”

Australia’s expert immunisation panel confirmed this month that booster shots were required within six months of a second vaccination to maintain up-to-date vaccination status.

Victoria’s daily booster rate has dropped sharply in recent days, with complacency creeping in as Covid measures are relaxed.

General Frewen said 10,000 facilities were administering booster shots.

“Supply isn’t a problem. There’s currently nine million doses of vaccine in the fridges of GPs, pharmacies and state sites that’s been delivered, but yet to be used,” he said.

“Getting a booster is as convenient as it ever has been.

“If you want to make a booking you can, or you can just walk in to most pharmacies and state clinics and get your vaccination.

“While the booster program is going much faster than the primary course rollout, there is always more we can do.”

The Herald Sun last week revealed that federal research found 83 per cent of Australians had received the third shot or were intending to, and four out of five people said they knew when their booster was due and recognised it would increase their protection against infection or death.

A Victorian government spokesman said getting a third dose significantly reduced the chances of going to hospital, ICU or dying from Covid-19.

The state is contacting thousands of eligible Victorians via phone and text message every week – targeting those in areas where third dose coverage is low – to remind them they are due, as well as working with community leaders and local health services.

TOURISTS WELCOMED BACK TO MELBOURNE

Emotional reunions have unfolded as Australia’s border is flung open to the world, with Melbourne Airport welcoming international tourists for the first time in almost two years on Monday morning.

Holidaymakers are now able to board flights to Australia, however passengers disembarking planes on Monday are by majority international students and relatives who live overseas visiting loved ones.

While international students have been permitted to enter the country since December, many have chosen to take advantage of the extra flights on offer.

An international flight from Singapore touched down at 8.15am and was one of 12 to fly into Tullamarine on Monday.

Susie Kiddie was reunited with her brother, David Kiddie, after he flew in from the UK to visit their elderly mother, who has been battling health issues.

Mr Kiddie said after completing a rapid antigen test, visiting his mother was the first thing he would do.

“She’s had so many ups and downs these past couple of years,” he said.

“I can’t wait (to see her) to be honest.”

Ms Kiddie ran into her brother’s arms as he walked into Terminal 2 around 9am, embracing him after two long years apart.

Siblings Susie and David Kiddie are reunited at the airport. Picture: Getty Images

“I’m just so happy to see him. I’m overwhelmed,” she said.

“We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”

Passengers were greeted by a four-piece jazz band and handed a show bag by Melbourne Airport staff, with a little penguin toy inside.

Owner of MoVida restaurants Frank Camorra and celebrity chef Shane Delia also greeted passengers, in a nod to Melbourne’s reputation as the culinary capital of Australia.

Mother and son Sue and Simon Witton were in tears on Monday morning, as Sue touched down in Melbourne after “724 days apart”.

While Mr Witton has called Australia home for more than four years, his mum lives on the other side of the world in the UK.

“He’s my only son and I’m alone. This means the world to me,” Ms Witton said.

“I don’t want to let go (of him). Thank you for having me back.”

When asked what the pair would do today, she laughed: “I have no idea. I don’t really care.”

Her 27-year-old son said he did not know if this day would ever come.

“I’ve waited so long for this moment,” Mr Witton said.

Emotional scenes played out at Melbourne Airport as the international border was further relaxed. Picture: Getty Images

The Kiddies and the Wittons, now reunited, were both treated by Melbourne Airport to two $500 vouchers to dine at MoVida and Maha.

Anais Guillin could not contain her joy when she laid eyes on her mother, Virginie, who had flown into Melbourne from France.

“It’s been two and a half years (since I have seen her),” Ms Guillin.

“She’s here to meet my son, who is nine months old.”

She said her mum had visited Australia once before and while travel may be on the agenda, “family time” was the number one priority.

Mr Camorra, who owns eatery Bar Pulpo within Melbourne Airport, said the flights landing on Monday were “another step towards bringing Melbourne back to life”.

“There’s only one thing worse than having a restaurant during a pandemic, it’s having a restaurant inside an airport during a pandemic,” Mr Camorra said.

“It’s been incredibly difficult.”

Mr Delia said while it was important to welcome everyone back, a strong workforce was integral to sustain the “quality of cuisine that Victoria has become renowned for”.

“I’d like to get some staff back in first, so then we can welcome our customers and we can do it with the … same passion that we always have.”

Since Singaporean citizens have been allowed to travel to Australia since November due to a travel bubble, the flight is expected to be carrying fully vaccinated passengers from other countries.

They will be required to show proof of vaccination before heading out to explore the state, but will not need to quarantine.

Chief of Aviation at Melbourne Airport Lorie Argus said it was the first time in 23 months Melbourne was able to welcome “all travellers” into the state.

“We’re open to the world,” Ms Argus said.

“All of our foreign carriers, in particular, can (now) sell tickets to the wider market because what we do know is that they really couldn’t return to Australia with just Australian residents on-board.”

Almost 60 overseas flights are set to touch down in Australia on Monday, with 6000 international passengers expected to pass through Melbourne Airport this week.