Meat dish

Police kept busy seizing drugs and finding stolen goods and vehicles

LOCAL police have had a busy time in the past week, recovering stolen property and vehicles and seizing drugs. Wellington Crime Investigation Unit detectives executed a search warrant in Maffra last Tuesday, which led to the discovery of what they describe as “an extensive amount of stolen property”, along with a stolen dirt bike from Thorpdale and a stolen motor vehicle from Campbellfield. A 33-year-old Maffra woman has been charged with burglary, theft, possessing a drug of dependence (methylamphetamine, ecstasy and ketamine), trafficking a drug of dependence (methylamphetamine), two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, dealing with property suspected to be proceeds of crime, fraudulently using number plates and committing an indictable offence while on bail. The woman has been remanded to appear at the Sale Magistrates’ Court at a later date. A 29-year-old Maffra man has been charged with burglary, theft, handling stolen goods and two counts of theft of a motor vehicle. Then on Thursday last week when police were patrolling in the Sale area when they spotted a bus stolen from Clydebank. Police intercepted and arrested the driver, a 44-year-old Traralgon man. He has been charged with burglary, theft, two counts of theft of motor vehicle, possessing a drug of dependence, dealing with property suspected to be proceeds of crime, unlicensed driving and three counts of committing an indictable offence while on bail. He has been remanded in custody to appear at Sale Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

Pfizer, Moderna for over-60s

AUSTRALIANS aged 60 and over are now able to access Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, regardless of where they live. Some states had already changed the eligibility criteria, but last week’s announcement from federal Health Minister Greg Hunt means the same rules now apply across the nation. Previously, Australians aged 60 and older only had access to AstraZeneca. Mr Hunt urged previously hesitant over-60s to come forward for vaccination, estimating there were about 300,000 older Australians waiting to be vaccinated as a result of hesitancy over receiving AstraZeneca. Nearly 95 per cent of people aged over 70 are already vaccinated, most with AstraZeneca. Mr Hunt said Australians who were yet to be vaccinated should have confidence in any of the vaccines available to them. “Any one of them can save your life, and it can save and protect the lives of those around you as well,” he said. The news came as Victoria announced the interval between Pfizer dosages had been reduced to three weeks. Beginning yesterday, people will now be able to receive their second Pfizer dose just three weeks after their first, instead of waiting six weeks. After Victoria hit its 80 per cent first dose target, and the Commonwealth provided assurances on forward vaccine supply, the Victorian government made the call to shorten the interval and reach the state’s double dose targets faster, last week. Anyone who has received their first dose of Pfizer can bring forward their second dose, if they choose to. Changes in the vaccine booking system have been made so people can make a second dose booking from three weeks after they had their first dose. The government acknowledged limited appointments available in the state system “due to supply”, and encouraged those who wanted to get vaccinated to book an appointment to check with a local GP or pharmacy if they couldn’t get in. The next threshold in the state’s ‘roadmap’ to reopening will be reached when Victoria hits its 70 per cent double dose vaccination target, which

Australians aged over 60 now have the option of Pfizer and Moderna. As COVID-19 cases rise exponentially in Victoria, people are now also being given the option of a three-week interval between first and second Pfizer doses, in a bid to have more people vaccinated, more quickly.

is projected to be about October 26. The government says it will continuously release first dose appointments into the system to ensure everyone who wants to get vaccinated and receive the associated freedoms and benefits is able to do so. In the next week there are 10,479 first dose Pfizer appointments available and 8856 first dose Astra Zeneca appointments available through the state-run system. Victorians can also book a vaccine appointment through their GP or pharmacist, and many more appointments are available. Victorian pharmacists are now also offering the Moderna vaccine. This vaccine is also on offer at selected state sites. To book a vaccination through state-run centres, or to see links for how to book at your local GP or

pharmacy, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine