Vaccines now the ‘only way out’ for Victoria as Covid-19 cases surge

Victoria’s Covid cases surged due to thousands of people doing the “wrong thing” and now there is only one way out of lockdown for the state.

Victoria has declared increased vaccination is now the only way out of lockdown after the daily cases spiked to more than 1400 infections.

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews blamed thousands of people doing the “wrong thing” on Thursday to explain the shock daily case number jump to 1438.

But the biggest mistake 15,000 unlucky Victorians made was not getting vaccinated when they had the chance.

The tragic consequences of delaying a Covid-19 jab is now recorded for history in Victoria‘s horror virus toll.

As the acting chief medical officer Ben Cowie outlined this week, the majority – 79 per cent – were eligible to be vaccinated but simply never got around to booking an appointment.

According to the data a staggering 88 per cent were unvaccinated – including of course a group of younger Victorians who are not eligible for the vaccine.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Luis Enrique Ascui

Acting chief health officer Ben Cowie. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Covid Commander Jeroen Weimar declared on Thursday that increased vaccination was the only way out.

“If it wasn‘t clear before, this is the critical route through,” he said.

“The vaccination blitz and program becomes ever more important. As the Premier said, we’ve received or will receive on Sunday 88,000 additional Moderna doses.”

Vaccines are working

What is clear from the analysis is that vaccines work – if you take the time to book an appointment.

Consider the breakdown of Covid-19 patients admitted to hospital in Victoria. According to the Health Department, 86 per cent of those hospitalised are unvaccinated.

But the real impact of vaccines is seen in the state’s ICU’s where 98 per cent of those admitted to intensive care were unvaccinated.

“This is the kind of data that shows how powerful all of these vaccines are against preventing infection and especially preventing serious illness, ending up in hospital and losing your life,” Professor Cowie said.

“Vaccinations remain our best weapon to fight back against this deadly virus.”

Victoria has declared increased vaccination is now the only way out of lockdown after the daily cases spiked to over 1400 infections. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

'No more excuses'

Experts say there‘s “no more excuses” for seniors dragging their heels over getting their preferred vaccine from Friday with a choice of vaccine – AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna now available for all over 60s across Australia.

Previously, Pfizer and Moderna had only been available for those aged between 12 and 59, while AstraZeneca was the only vaccine available for the over 60 cohort.

Overnight, NSW and the ACT confirmed it would offer a choice of vaccine. Over 60s are also eligible for Pfizer in Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania.

“There‘s vaccination appointments available, please go online and book one, turn up, play your part,” the Victorian Premier said.

“These vaccination numbers are very strong, with extra supply we can get stronger.”

Vax clinics could go ‘door to door’

Suburbs that are lagging behind wealthier parts of Melbourne in vaccinations could soon be offered mobile clinics.

The Victorian Premier said on Thursday the Health Department was prepared to go “door to door” if necessary.

“We wouldn‘t rule anything out. We’ll go door to door if we have to,” he said.

“We’re very pleased to see, it’s not being boastful or anything, we’re just very pleased to see the north and the west having responded so positively to the pop-up activity we’ve done, to the big push, and a lot of it is not necessarily broadcast.

“A lot of it is very local, we‘ve used trusted voices, faith leaders, school leaders, all sorts of different people and we’ve seen the numbers go up. They still need to go further.

“But they’re coming off a good base. We can be confident where the outbreak is running hardest and hottest, to have seen the turnaround there in the last few weeks is really, really good. And I thank everyone who has come along and got a jab.”