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Coronavirus crisis: Less than a third of WA’s 40-49 year olds have had a jab

Charlotte EltonThe West Australian
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40-somethings are urged to get their jabs as soon as possible.
Camera Icon40-somethings are urged to get their jabs as soon as possible. Credit: Alernon77 - stock.adobe.com

Less than a third of WA’s 40-49 year olds have had a vaccine dose, despite being eligible for the Pfizer jab for a month and a half.

The 40-49-year old age group became eligible for the Pfizer vaccine on June 10.

Yet new roll-out data reveals that the vast majority of WA’s Gen Xers haven’t had a single vaccine dose.

Just 30.01 per cent of 40-44 year olds and 32.77 per cent of 45-49 year olds have rolled up their sleeves.

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This is only marginally higher than the percentage of people in their thirties who have had the jab.

This cohort was eligible for just one week before vaccine advice changed.

So far 20.83 per cent of 35-39 year olds have had at least one dose of the vaccine and 17 per cent of 30-34 year olds have done the same.

The State Government offered 30-39 year olds the Pfizer vaccine from June 10.

But that eligibility was rescinded on June 17 after the Federal Government’s chief health advisory body recommended Pfizer for all under 60s.

The State Government stopped younger people from making bookings in order to redirect Pfizer to the 50-59 year olds.

Yet the Government’s choice to prioritise this demographic doesn’t seem to be translating in take-up.

About half of our West Aussies in their 50s have had one jab; 52.32 per cent of 55-59 year olds and 47.94 per cent of 50-54 year olds have had at least one dose.

Over 50s were offered AstraZeneca vaccines from May, and Pfizer from June 17.

Among all adults over 16, 36.06 per cent of people have had at least one dose.

By the end of this month, an additional 10,000 Pfizer bookings will be available in WA every week.

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