Experts blame government for taking attention and resources from vaccination programs as infections and hospitalisations surge
, including restrictions on travel and curfews.
“The third-dose rate just isn’t shifting fast enough and I strongly urge people who are eligible for a third dose but have not yet had it to go out and get that booster.” “We saw the response from communities, when government in partnership with local leaders, councils and other groups imposed the importance of the vaccines and it worked.“If the third and fourth booster shots are considered to be a vital part in the nation’s Covid mitigation strategy, then it needs to elevate that message,” he said.
Professor Julie Leask, a vaccine expert at the University of Sydney, said there were four reasons for the slower uptake, including a lack of awareness of the importance of boosters, suspicion of its necessity, access and a lack of community activation. “People want to do the right thing. They want to protect themselves, their loved ones and the community, but they need that information. So access through that awareness message is really important.”Leask said the high uptake of the first two doses demonstrated that, with appropriate government support, communities in western Sydney were willing to get vaccinated.
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