Confirmation today that vaccination rates in Victoria have fallen significantly behind New South Wales must be immediately addressed by the Andrews Labor Government.
At current uptakes rates, Victoria will not reach National Cabinet's key 70 vaccination target until September 29 – more than 3 weeks after New South Wales.
Furthermore, today's data also confirms Victoria will not reach the 80 per cent target until October 19 – almost 5 weeks after New South Wales.
Daniel Andrews has no plan to boost his sluggish vaccine uptake rates – only a plan for more lockdowns and tighter restrictions.
In contrast, the Victorian Liberal Nationals have a plan to jump-start Victoria's lagging vaccination rates by;
- Immediately redirect funds spent on wasteful self-promoting State Government advertising into vaccination ads.
- Ensure teachers and early childhood educators are supported with priority vaccination to keep our schools open safely.
- Open up vaccine bookings until the end of the year at all state run hubs.
- Introduce mobile vaccine centres to target at-risk cohorts and hotspots.
- Ensure AstraZeneca vaccinations are available for under 40's at all state run facilities.
- Fully commit to national cabinet's agreed pathway out of lockdowns.
Daniel Andrews is guilty of dangerous mixed messaging about vaccines and that is adding to vaccine hesitancy.
The Andrews Labor Government needs to commit to the national cabinet plan to reopen rather than a zero cases crusade that will leave Victoria broke and broken.
With every week in lockdown costing our state $1 billion and compounding social and mental health harms, Daniel Andrews must immediately adopt these measures and get our state vaccinated.
As stated by Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier:
"It's unacceptable that Victoria remains a month behind NSW whilst millions of vaccine doses still on the shelf.
"Daniel Andrews is guilty of having no plan get more jabs in more arms, just a plan to shut down face-to-face learning, close business and playgrounds and tear communities apart.
"Every effort must be made to Vic's the vax as quickly and safely as possible."
