City of Mount Gambier Council is urging its residents to step up and get vaccinated following news the LGA is well below the state government’s vaccination target.
As at 19 September, just 42% of Mount Gambier residents were fully vaccinated against COVID, well below the state’s 80% target.
Mayor Lynette Martin said Mount Gambier and the wider community had played an important role in managing the COVID pandemic in South Australia, despite the disappointing current vaccination rate.
“While we are fortunate to have been COVID safe throughout the pandemic, the threat of COVID has presented many challenges that our community continues to face,” Mayor Martin said.
“There have been lockdowns and activity restrictions put in place and we are all getting used to wearing masks and following social distancing regulations.”
“South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has indicated that COVID restrictions will be relaxed when there is equity in vaccination rates across local government areas as the State Government is still determining the minimum vaccination rate before restrictions ease.”
“I think it would be a wonderful achievement for our community if we could reach an 80% vaccination rate as soon as possible and be the leading Local Government area in South Australia.”
Councillor Sonya Mezinec received her second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the past few weeks.
City of Mount Gambier Councillor Sonya Mezinec receives her second AstraZeneca vaccination administered by Dr Scott Milan at Hawkins Medical Clinic, Pinehall.
I got vaccinated to protect myself, my family, my friends and the broader community from getting COVID or at the very least the more serious side effects of the disease some of which can be very long lasting. –
Cr Sonya Mezinec said.
“I want to be able to travel interstate and overseas to visit family and friends. I want to see families come together for important celebrations, welcoming a new member to the family, farewelling those that have died and I want my goddaughter to have the wedding celebration she and her partner would like to have but have had to cancel two years in a row.”
The Mayor and councillors are encouraging local people to seek COVID vaccination information from a trusted source to make an informed personal decision about the vaccines.
“Sometimes it is hard to work out what is fact and what is fiction, particularly online. If you have questions or concerns or feel hesitant about getting a vaccine, I encourage you to seek the facts and evidence based information,” Mayor Martin said.
“It is so important to rely on reputable sources of information and to stay up-to-date on the latest information about the vaccines to help you make an informed choice.”
All South Australians aged 12 and over can now book a COVID-19 vaccination. Visit SA Health Vaccination Clinics and Sites.
