Covid vaccination rate in Cairns slowing as poll respondents cite perceived vaccine ineffectiveness

Health authorities are urging residents to get boosted with declarations the vaccines remain safe and effective but the message has not gotten through to many. FIND OUT WHY

A DROP over 62 per cent of eligible Cairns residents have received three or more doses of a Covid vaccine.

This trails the state average of 63.8 per cent, and Queensland has the lowest turnout for Covid booster shots.

Despite Queensland Health’s fatiguing, though still accurate, mantra that vaccines remain the best defence against the new Covid variants, the message isn’t getting through to a sizeable demographic.

“We can’t make this any clearer: vaccination is the best protection against becoming seriously ill with Covid-19,” a Queensland Health spokesman said.

(L-R) Edge Hill residents Donna Pansino and Pat Daly, with Ozmosis owner Lauren Vico. Ms Pansino said she did not hesitate to get the latest Covid booster. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Cairns Post conducted a Facebook poll and asked the public whether they would receive a second Covid booster, the fourth dose overall, which residents over 30 years of age are now eligible for. The prevailing response was negative, with many comments citing perceived ineffectiveness of the vaccines.

The more libertarian respondents cited a distaste for government mandates, although there is currently no mandate for the fourth dose.

“I played your silly games government; your ideas failed. Now leave me the F alone,” Zac Carabot said.

Several people questioned the safety of the vaccines, particularly with regard to reports of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart, which is reported in 1 to 2 people of every 100,000 who receive a Pfizer vaccine.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has admitted Covid modelling failed to predict the severity of Queensland’s third wave as the state recorded more than 6600 new cases overnight. Picture Lachie Millard

“I tell you what I got from getting vaccinated a sore heart,” said Robert Thorn, who received his fourth dose begrudgingly because of an underlying health condition.

The Australian Department of Health’s Therapeutic Goods Administration monitors vaccine safety, investigates reported side effects and releases a fortnightly safety report.

They report an adverse response from a vaccine in 2.2 of every 1000 doses and still conclude the protective benefits of vaccination far outweigh the potential risks.

Covid vaccine boosters do remain a popular and pragmatic choice among residents older than 60 years of age, and for a good reason.

Of the 1323 Covid deaths in Queensland, as of July 8, 97.6 per cent were aged 50 years and over.

Edge Hill residents Donna Pansino and Pat Daly cited this risk as the unequivocal reason why they received their fourth dose as soon as possible.

“I think it’s better to be safer by having the shots,” Ms Pancino said.

“If we do get Covid, hopefully it’s not a serious case. We definitely don’t want to end up in hospital.”

Originally published as Covid vaccination rate in Cairns slowing as poll respondents cite perceived vaccine ineffectiveness