Barwon Health says fourth dose demand strong, but some still not boosted

One of the first recipients of the fourth Covid jab at Barwon Health’s Belmont hub has revealed the brutal lockdown she endured in China when the pandemic began. TAKE OUR POLL

Barwon Health says its Belmont vaccination centre is experiencing strong demand for fourth Covid jabs since eligibility was broadened.

However, about one in five people aged 16 and up in the Barwon South-West have still not had their third.

Eligibility has been expanded to see people aged 30 and over able to have a fourth dose from last week.

Kimbra Power received her fourth Covid jab at Barwon Health’s vaccination centre in Belmont on Tuesday.

Kimbra Power receives her fourth Covid vaccination from registered nurse immuniser Tam Casey at Barwon Health Belmont. Picture: Alison Wynd

It was a world away from the 50-year-old’s first three doses in Shanghai.

Ms Power, who grew up in Geelong, has lived in the Chinese city since 2005, and works at an international school there.

She was stuck in a brutal lockdown before fleeing to Australia in April.

“It was really quite tough just having your liberty taken away from you,” she said.

“There were no cars on the road, no supermarkets open.”

Ms Power is expected to return to Shanghai next month.

She said she had not had Covid yet, and was happy to receive her latest vaccination.

Barwon South West public health unit director Eugene Athan said more than 78 per cent of people aged 16 and over had their third dose in the Barwon South West region.

“Pleasingly, those at most risk, aged 70 and above have a third dose rate of 99 per cent.”

However, Prof Athan said only 68 per cent of people in the 70 plus age group in our region had a fourth dose.

People 65 and over have been eligible for a fourth dose for several months.

“It is strongly recommended that all eligible people who haven’t already received their third or fourth dose have it as soon as they are due,” he said.

Prof Athan said people aged 50 and over were recommended to have a fourth dose, while people aged 30 to 49 could receive one if they chose.

Jab

He said experts recommended people at higher risk of severe disease get a fourth dose.

Prof Athan said a booster dose helped prevent waning immunity against Covid-19.

Boosters can be booked three months after your last dose or infection.

On Tuesday there were 38 Covid patients in Geelong hospital, including active and cleared cases.

One of these patients was in ICU.

“Keeping up-to-date with your Covid vaccination is one of the best ways you can protect yourself against severe illness or hospitalisation,” Prof Athan said.

Originally published as Barwon Health says fourth dose demand strong, but some still not boosted