Qld opens vaccine hub for Olympic athletes

More than 2000 people are expected to be vaccinated in Queensland’s new vaccine hub for athletes, with some big names already getting the jab ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

Queensland’s Olympians have joined the race to vaccinate with the launch of the state’s first vaccine hub for athletes and officials ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

With more than 2000 people expected to be vaccinated in the hub by the end of next week, Olympic swimmer Cate Campbell said the jab would put Australian athletes on the front foot.

“I think the majority of our competitors from first world countries will have had the vaccine as well and we definitely want to even the playing field as much as we can with the Brits and the Americans,” she said.

Australia swimmer Cate Campbell receives her Covid-19 vaccination shot. Picture: Josh Woning

Ms Campbell said receiving the jab was an easy process and a huge weight off her shoulders.

“I think the rest of the world, the COVID situation they’re dealing with is much more dire than here in Australia and that’s why getting this vaccine is so important because we are going into a completely unknown situation,” she said.

“The pandemic has impacted everyone, let’s not understate that, but we are incredibly privileged here in Australia and exist in a society where COVID doesn’t impact us on a day-to-day basis.

“I can still access all my training facilities and everyone who I need to see and that’s been really helpful in preparing for these games.”

Australia swimmers Bronte and Cate Campbell and Ariarne Titmus waiting for their COVID-19 jab. Picture: Josh Woning

AOC Chief Executive Matt Carroll said by the end of next week athletes would have their first Jab of the Pfizer vaccine and would receive their second shot four weeks later.

“Time was getting tight, I must admit, but we are able to get Pfizer, the two jabs in before the athletes head overseas,” he said.

Mr Carroll said the AOC wasn’t worried about the process as they had constructed an Olympic bubble around the competition.

“Quarantine will still be when they come back home and it’s still 14 days.”

“There will be over 1000 Australians coming back so we’re working very close with the state governments to manage that within the cap so that other Australians coming home aren’t affected.”