As one of a very small minority who cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccine, due to a severely-weakened immune system, Justine Martin has urged Geelong locals to get the jab.
“I won’t survive if I get COVID-19,” the Marshall grandmother said.
“I’m waiting for that herd coverage to come.”
Ms Martin, 50, called for locals to get vaccinated to help protect less than a few hundred of people in Geelong who cannot receive the vaccine.
She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) a decade ago and has practically been in “lockdown” for years before COVID-19 hit, after surviving three different cancers.
From December 2016 to January 2017 she was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, small lymphocytic lymphoma and a melanoma, and underwent eight months of chemotherapy.
“I had one foot in the grave,” she said.
She has also had three heart surgeries in the past decade.
But even after surviving these diagnoses and procedures, she has had to take extreme care of her immune system, isolating from family and friends with even minor cold.
“Every time I fly I’ve had to wear a mask, long before COVID,” she said.
“I can’t even get the flu vaccine anymore.”
She describes not being able to get the COVID-19 vaccine as “frustrating” given some healthy people are still refusing to get it.
“There are other people like me out there who need that herd protection,” she said.
Barwon South West Public Health Unit director Eugene Athan said “much less than 0.1 per cent population” cannot get vaccinated due to health reasons.
“Often these people simply need a specific vaccine type with the right timing,” Professor Athan said.
“Some medical conditions require careful consideration about timing and choice, but there are no absolute contraindications that apply to all available COVID vaccines.
“It is vital for people to get vaccinated to help achieve herd immunity to COVID-19.
“A vaccination rate of about 80 per cent will reduce transmission and hospitalisations, but herd immunity … would require a much higher percentage.
“Every small increase towards this number will help, so please get vaccinated as soon as you have the opportunity to do so.”
To book a vaccination, phone 1800 675 398 or visit portal.cvms.vic.gov.au
More on Ms Martin’s journey: Page 5
