Cairns kids falling behind as CHHHS pushes for vaccinations

Cairns has recorded 420 new cases in the past 24 hours as Covid-19 numbers rise but one age group is falling behind in vaccinations. LEARN MORE HERE

CAIRNS has recorded 420 new Covid cases in the past 24 hours, with the death toll rising to 47 since the start of the pandemic.

Acting CEO of Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Services Steve Thacker said as hospital patient numbers are falling away, Covid cases are still increasing and “we are certainly in a second wave.”

“It’s looking like the Cairns region is going to get to the peak of our second wave sometime in April,” he said,

“We have 12 Covid patients in Cairns Hospital, with one in ICU, and another three patients in Atherton Hospital.

“We’re following the national trend, this wave of the new strain is following the same format so we can prepare to experience it a bit more in the next few weeks.”

Mr Thacker said the most effective approach for Cairns people to get through this new wave remains the same.

Registered Nurse Karen Hollard receives her Covid-19 booster shot from public health nurse Lisa Mazlin at the pop-up vaccination clinic at The Lagoon on the Esplanade in November 2021. Picture: Brian Cassey.

“The best way we can protect ourselves is to get vaccinated, isolate, make sure to get tested and stay home,” he said.

Mr Thacker said while there is a variation across the age of locals catching Covid, CHHHS was seeing a higher number of children’s cases recorded.

“It is understandable, with the return of school and more children interacting,” he said

“But that’s why it is so important for us to get our kids vaccinated, especially coming into the school holidays.”

CHHHS program director for Covid-19 vaccinations Kelly Pollock said parents needed to get on top of their children’s vaccinations.

“Our Covid vaccination clinics in Cairns are open over the school holidays, it is vital to get your child vaccinated now and not wait until the end of holidays when they’re heading back to school,” she said.

St Augustine's College student Hayden Allwood, 12, and St Francis Xavier School student Siena Allwood, 11, were vaccinated against the coronavirus at a CHHHS vaccination centre at The Pier Shopping Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Our children (ages 5 to 11) is where we are lagging behind with nearly 16 per cent of Cairns kids fully vaccinated.

“Vaccination remains our best protection against experiencing severe cases of Covid-19.”

Pharmacist at Ramsay Pharmacy Grafton St Oliver Watt said while people are still reaching for rapid tests, the popularity of flu jabs is steadily rising.

“Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen more demand for flu shots, specifically from people working in healthcare or wanting to visit family in nursing and retirement homes,” he said. “People now need to balance preparing for the flu season while getting through Covid too.”

Mr Watt said it remains important for locals to get a Covid test even if they think it is just the flu.

“Especially for Covid-vaccinated people, it’s very easy to mistake Covid for a flu because the mild symptoms are so similar,” he said.

“You need seven days between your flu shots and your Covid shots but having both is the best way to protect yourself as we head into flu season.”

Originally published as Cairns kids falling behind as CHHHS pushes for vaccinations