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WA vaccine boss in strong plea to hesitant

Tim DorninAAP
WA vaccine commander Chris Dawson says COVID-19 "is not a disease that you can muck around with".
Camera IconWA vaccine commander Chris Dawson says COVID-19 "is not a disease that you can muck around with". Credit: AAP

Western Australia's COVID-19 vaccine commander is pleading for the state's vaccine-hesitant residents to get themselves protected before the virus reaches the local community.

Chris Dawson says he remains confident WA will reach the target of 80 per cent double vaccinated among the eligible population.

He said about four-to-five per cent of people had already made the "sobering choice" not to get the jab, leaving about 15 per cent of the population who were "just hesitating or waiting until the disease arrives in the community".

"That is a really bad choice to make," Mr Dawson said.

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"So I've pitched my message to that 15 per cent of the population who are just deliberating and waiting for the disease to impact on them and their families before they suddenly make a decision.

"This is not a disease that you can muck around with."

Health Minister Roger Cook said in the latest phase of the vaccine program, WA would focus on smaller, more nimble clinics that would target harder-to-reach communities.

Mr Cook said WA expected to reach 60 per cent double vaccinated by the end of this week.

WA reported no new virus cases on Monday.

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