Mr Sharp said just 17 per cent of the eligible population in Greater Shepparton had come forward to receive their booster doses, and said a third shot would be the best Christmas present you could give yourself.
Mr Sharp said a third should would give people greater protection against COVID-19 and the new Omicron variant.
He also said people who were approaching the five month interval could have their shot a few days early, with the McIntosh Centre vaccination clinic set to close between Christmas and New Year’s.
“Everybody who’s had their second dose and has had a five-month interval between the second dose is eligible for a booster, and only 17 per cent of people have taken up that opportunity which is not enough.” Mr Sharp said.
“You need to come forward and get that vaccination as quickly as possible … to give yourself the best chance of protecting yourself and the broader community.”
Mr Sharp says the speed in which Omicron is spreading is concerning, especially with large gatherings expected over Christmas and New Year’s.
“In the coming weeks people are going to mingling, there’s going to be a lot more visits in house and a lot more parties and celebrations.”
“We’re seeing around other parts of the country and internationally about how quickly the Omicron variant spreads and how infectious it is,” he said.
“The best protection against contracting COVID-19 and the Omicron variant is to have your third dose; your booster dose.”
The Federal Government’s current advice is for booster shots to be administered five months after a person has received their second dose, however Mr Sharp said GV Health will administer a booster shot to those who are a week, or days away from hitting the five-month mark.
“If someone is at four months and three weeks, and they’re going to hit five months between Christmas and New Years … we’re not going to be fussy about that. We just want people to come forward and get vaccination and we’re prepared to accommodate.”
“We just want people to get their booster dose and the best thing they can do by the way of an early Christmas present is to get their third shot.”
The respiratory testing clinic at GV Health will be open through Christmas, however it may change based on demand.
On Friday Australia’s chief medical officer Paul Kelly said the interval wouldn’t be brought forward from five months at this stage, but urged people to get their third jab.
“We’re staying with five months’ duration between the second dose and the third dose or booster dose,” Prof. Kelly said.
He said three doses against Omicron presented the same level of protection against Omicron as two doses did against Delta.
