QLD hit 80 per cent vaxxed – but here are the places lagging behind
With Queensland’s borders reopening to Covid hotspots on Monday, we reveal the communities still behind in vaccination rates. SEE THE FULL LIST
Queensland may have hit the 80 per cent vaccination milestone in its battle against Covid-19, but remoteness continues to be a challenge which is leaving far north and central towns exposed.
But even South East Queensland cities outside the capital, including Logan, Ipswich, the Gold Coast and the Scenic Rim remain just behind the goal and the rest of the state.
Those satellite cities remain between 75-77 per cent double-dose protected against Covid-19, according to Federal Health Department data.
But with first-dose rates above the 80 per cent mark there is no doubt they will get over the line before Christmas.
The border town of Goondiwindi has also become the first Queensland council to top 90 per cent double jabbed, ahead of the next best councils of Redlands and Noosa, on 86 and 84 per cent respectively.
The remote indigenous towns of Cherbourg and Yarrabah remain the least vaccinated local government areas each at 48 per cent, while Isaac, near Mackay, is not far ahead with just 52 per cent of its population fully immunised.
Central Highlands, Mareeba, Charters Towers and Banana LGAs are in the mid-60s for their immunisation rates.
As on Monday December 6, when the data was collated, just 10 Queensland councils had officially reached the fully vaccinated milestone. Several more areas, however, including Maranoa, Southern Downs and Cairns are likely to have reached it by now, or will shortly.
There are now 34 council areas, of the 40 where data is available, that have surpassed the 80 per cent single-dose milestone.
In Brisbane, 83 per cent of eligible people have had a double dose while 88.9 per cent of people over 16 have had at least one jab.
