Echuca-Moama’s local COVID-19 vaccination rates have jumped in the past week by more than five per cent, with Murray River Council surpassing 90 per cent of residents with their first dose.
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As of September 12, Murray River Council sat at 93.6 per cent first dose – up 7.5 per cent in a week – while Campaspe Shire was up 6.6 per cent to 75.9 per cent.
The data is for residents aged 15 and older, with 62.6 per cent of Murray River Council fully vaccinated and 46.3 per cent of Campaspe Shire.
Next week, a third vaccine, Moderna, is expected to arrive in the twin towns, and into the arms of locals.
The vaccine will be available to anyone aged 12 to 59, with people aged 60 and older still only eligible for AstraZeneca.
Pharmacist Con Kostoglou, who owns Echuca Amcal and Priceline Pharmacy Echuca Square, said he hoped to receive Moderna by the end of next week.
“Moderna is the same technology as Pfizer — it’s an mRNA vaccine,” he said.
“It’s pretty much the same as Pfizer and in fact its statistics are better — it has more protection — and the stigma of clotting isn’t associated with Moderna or Pfizer.”
Echuca Amcal Pharmacy has administered nearly 500 doses in the three weeks it has been offering AstraZeneca — the only vaccine Australian pharmacies have had access to.
“It’s been fanatastic; we’ve had a walk-in policy, which is working extremely well,” Mr Kostoglou said.
“Because we’re open seven days a week, whenever it suits people they can come in and get it done.
“They don’t have to stress about having to wait weeks on end or logging in to a booking system.”
