Full list: 100 Qld schools where you can get vaccinated this weekend

As Queensland’s first-dose vaccination level drops, 100 schools will be turned into mass vaccination hubs this weekend. SEARCH THE LIST

Queensland has recorded its worst week for first-dose vaccinations since early August, despite pleas from the Premier for people to “hop on the lifeboat” and warnings that outbreaks could kill dozens of people when borders reopen.

On a rolling seven-day average only 14,304 received their first does of Covid-19 vaccine as of Wednesday, the lowest level since August 5.

On Monday just 14,316 first doses were administered, compared to 18,360 the previous Monday.

Tuesday saw a slight uptick with 16,373 first jabs, but that was still down on last week’s figure of 18,459.

About 72 per cent of eligible Queenslanders have received their first dose and 57.45 per cent are fully vaccinated.

In an effort to turn around the dismal rates the government will this weekend turn 100 schools around the state into mass vaccination hubs as part of a statewide vaccination blitz.

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Borders will open to the rest of the country on December 17 regardless of whether the 80 per cent fully-vaccinated target was reached.

But to reach 80 per cent the state needs to deliver an average 26,000 first jabs daily between Tuesday and yesterday and Friday, October 29.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said school pop-up clinics would be available across multiple regions this Saturday, with a focus on areas with low vaccination uptake.

“Super Saturday is our largest vaccine push to date. If you’ve been saying you’ll just wait a bit before getting the vaccine – it’s time for you to come forward and get vaccinated now,” she said.

“We need Queenslanders to vaccinate before it’s too late.”

The Premier yesterday remained tight-lipped on details surrounding what would be in a second road map for specific restrictions targeting unvaccinated Queenslanders, saying only that her government would be speaking to businesses over the coming weeks.

However, she later clarified, saying businesses would “make up their own minds” about whether or not to turn away unvaccinated customers.

“It’s very clear that when we get to 80 per cent double vaccinated, and people are coming into Queensland, they will make up their own minds about what they want to do to protect their customers,” she said.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles meets former councillor Toby Barney while visiting Pormpuraaw to encourage locals to get vaccinated.

Booster shots could also soon be on the horizon for those who are fully vaccinated, with Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young saying the state was ready to go once given the green light by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.

Around 100,000 booster shots have already been delivered to highly vulnerable Queenslanders.

“We’re seeing from overseas that it looks like people actually do need three doses to get that full immunity, and that probably will last several years,” she said.

Queensland will also be allowing green flights again from the South Island of New Zealand, but this doesn’t extend to anyone who has visited the North Island in the past 14 days.

While much of regional Queensland continues to lag in its vaccination rates there are some bucking the trend.

The remote indigenous community of Pormpuraaw in Queensland’s Western Cape where almost 100 per cent of the community has had their first dose.

“There’s only 10 people left that might want to come in and still have their Pfizer,” director of nursing Melanie Durden said.

Pormpuraaw has now reached 94 per cent of people with one dose and 84 per cent fully vaccinated in the community.

Ms Durden said the achievement was thanks to the work of the “close-knit community, council and local elders”.

“We know the community, we’re a part of the community. Aboriginal health workers who work in the clinic are local,” she said.

“Everyone in the community just wanted to jump in and make sure they were protected.”

Deputy Premier Steven Miles visited the community yesterday and said he was incredibly proud.

“That’s one of the highest rates for an Indigenous community, and for the state. That’s just amazing,” he said.

Incoming chief health officer Krispin Hajkowicz congratulated the community and said they had saved lives.

“Five hundred vaccines given, that’s probably half a dozen lives saved and half a dozen ICUs,” he said.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said anyone aged 12 and over who was yet to be vaccinated could go to any vaccination clinic this Saturday without an appointment.

There were no new community cases of Covid-19, while one was detected in hotel quarantine.