The GV Health local public health unit booster coverage is about 46 per cent, which is a few points higher than the state-wide average.
There are 70,000 people across the public health unit who are eligible for a booster, and GV Health COVID-19 vaccination program medical lead Helen Roberts urged those people to come forward.
Dr Roberts said a third dose, while not yet mandatory, was “essential” to provide full protection against the virus.
“I think we're almost at the point now where we can say absolutely that's essential,” she said.
“The evidence is in order to protect yourself from serious illness from all coronavirus variants.”
GV Health’s vaccine buses — Jabba the Bus and Maxine Vaccine — will also hit the road again for up to four days a week to help provide more access.
Dr Roberts said a vaccination hub at St George’s Rd Primary School over the weekend was a hit.
“We had some great feedback from the kids, and some of the kids who said the best thing about their weekend was getting the COVID vaccination at school,” she said.
Childhood vaccination rates in the region are approaching 50 per cent of kids aged between five and 11, although far fewer children are coming through now classes have resumed.
Dr Roberts said opening the centre to walk-ins would hopefully make it easier for parents to bring children after school.
She said anyone who had had their booster more than three months ago was eligible, and people who had recovered from the acute phase of coronavirus could come forward immediately.
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