THOUSANDS of south-west residents have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine through the state rollout, representing almost half of Warrnambool's population.
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South West Healthcare has administered 16,556 doses since the start of the program.
Of those however, only 3000 people have received their second dose.
The hospital's COVID-19 coordinator Sue Anderton said the region's Pfizer clinics were again booked out for the week.
"SWH encourages people to keep our community safe by getting vaccinated against COVID-19," Ms Anderton said.
"We encourage those who have had the first dose to book in for their second dose to ensure they are fully vaccinated."
SWH has first and second dose AstraZeneca appointments available.
It reflects a nation-wide trend of oversupply of AstraZeneca and under-supply of Pfizer.
Inoculation rates are expected to be higher in the south-west, however the federal government refused to reveal its vaccine numbers for the region.
On Tuesday SWH announced a Pfizer vaccination clinic specifically for people with disability aged 16 to 60, as well as support workers and carers.
The one-off clinic is being offered on Monday July 5 at GenU,158 Liebig Street Warrnambool.
This is a first dose only clinic and by appointment only on 5564 9200.
Anyone can now go to their GP and request AstraZeneca vaccine
Federal health minister Greg Hunt on Tuesday said AstraZeneca remained the preferred vaccine for people 60 years and over and Pfizer the preferred to people under 60 due to extremely rare blood clotting risks associated with the vaccine in younger people.
"There's no change to the medical advice," Mr Hunt said.
"There's simply the opening of that access to those that are under it (age 40).
"The difference here is that the access - given the fact that there is a large supply (of AstraZeneca) and that some GPs have reported that they have excess supply and excess spaces.
"So if there are people who wish to access it, by informed consent via the existing ATAGI rules, then that is simply being enabled."
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Australia has now passed 7.5 million vaccinations nation-wide.
That includes more than one million in Victoria.
"I want to thank all of those older Australians for coming forward to be vaccinated," Mr Hunt said.
"But to continue to urge you, please do not wait. Vaccination can save your life, or it can save the life of somebody you know.
"We continue to urge Australians to be vaccinated."
Over the course of July Australia's supply of Pfizer will be doubled weekly, from 300,000 to 600,000 doses.
Over the course of the rest of the year another 32.6 million doses are expected to reach Australia's shores.
Vaccination will be mandatory for residential aged care workers with all staff to receive at least one dose by mid September.
Anyone leaving hotel quarantine will also now be required to have a COVID-19 test two to three days after exiting quarantine.
Vaccination will also now be mandatory for all quarantine workers including those who work directly or indirectly in transport for managed quarantine facilities.
There were 25 local cases nationwide reported over the last 24 hours.
Today is the third consecutive day Victoria has seen no new locally-transmitted cases.
Victoria has ramped up its border restrictions in a push to stave off the sorts of outbreaks hitting other parts of the country.
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