COVID cases in South West remain highest outside of Perth but booster doses among the best in WA

The South West is once again recording the highest number of new COVID-19 cases outside of the metro area, but thankfully it is also among the regional areas with the highest number of third-dose vaccinations. WA Health recorded 8499 new cases on Wednesday, taking WA’s total to 46,697 active cases of COVID-19. Vaccine Commander Gary Dreibergs said WA was “the envy of the world in terms of COVID-19 vaccination rates”, with 75.5 per cent of people over 16 now triple-dose vaccinated. In the South West, 86.5 per cent of eligible people aged 16 and over have had their booster shot. This puts the region second only to the Wheatbelt’s slightly higher figure of 86.9 per cent. The Perth and Peel figures sit slightly higher at just over 89 per cent for the city and 87 per cent near Mandurah. At well over 95 per cent, WA’s first and second dose rates are also among the highest in the country. The winter booster dose can be given four months after a person received their third dose or four months after a COVID infection, if that occurred since their last booster. Older West Australians and those who are immunocompromised or at risk of severe disease from COVID began rolling up their sleeves to get their “winter booster” on Monday. The Federal Government’s immunisation advisory group, ATAGI, recommends these people get their fourth dose of the vaccine four months after they received their booster shot. The groups includes anyone aged 65 and over, residents of aged care or disability care facilities, Aboriginal people 50 and older, and over-16s with severe immunosuppression. The “winter dose” is aimed at further protecting at-risk people from severe illness and reduce hospitalisations related to COVID-19 during the colder months, and coincides with the influenza vaccination program. This means eligible older West Australians can get the flu shot and the extra COVID vaccine dose at the same time. Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said she hoped people would take the opportunity to get both of the valuable vaccines. “If you’re eligible for a winter booster, please take the opportunity to get vaccinated through your GP, pharmacy or State-run clinics,” she said. “It is also important for high-risk people to get a flu jab, which the ATAGI has confirmed can be given at the same time as the winter booster dose.”