Regional Queensland warned lockdown will continue without high vaccination rates while Brisbane in the clear

Brisbane has been given it surest sign yet that lockdowns will be a thing of the past, while regional Queenslanders haven’t been so lucky, and it’s all down to vaccination rates.

Regional Queensland towns have been warned that it’s possible lockdowns will continue if vaccination rates don’t rise, while Brisbane has been given the surest sign yet that it’s finally in the clear.

On Wednesday morning, Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young warned regional Queenslanders that if vaccination rates didn’t increase, lockdowns would still be a possibility.

“I’ve still got some concerns about the rest of the state where we’ve only got vaccination rates at about 50 per cent, where lockdowns are still possible.”

chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young revealed that lockdowns would become less likely for Brisbane. Picture: Tara Croser.

Meanwhile, Brisbane was essentially given the green light by Dr Young, who said the “higher” vaccination rates should protect the city.

“Lockdown here in Queensland is becoming less and less likely. The more people who get vaccinated, the less likely it will be,” she said.

“Here, it’s less likely in Brisbane because our rates are quite a bit higher.”

It comes as members of the Palaszczuk Government spent the week in regional Queensland towns including Maryborough, Cairns, Townsville and Mackay in an effort to boost vaccination rates.

Figures have come to a standstill in some towns with the lowest in the state recorded in Cherbourg in South Burnett where only 33.7 per cent of the population aged 15 years and over have received their first dose and 25.7 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Vaccinations will be delivered directly to resident’s doors in an attempt to raise vaccination rates in Cherbourg. Picture: Supplied.

To directly address the slump, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed in parliament today that a door-to-door, street-to-street vaccination program would start in the Indigenous community of Cherbourg.

Similarly, the Aboriginal community of Yarrabah has the second lowest vaccination rate of 42.9 per cent with one dose and 24.5 per cent fully vaccinated.

LOWEST VACCINATION RATES IN QUEENSLAND

Cherbourg

1st dose 33.7% 2nd dose 25.7%

Yarrabah

1st dose 42.9% 2nd dose 24.5%

Isaac

1st dose 48.2% 2nd dose 31.7%

Charters Towers

1st dose 58.6% 2nd dose 42.0%

Central Highlands

1st dose 60.6% 2nd dose 43.5%

Mareeba

1st dose 61.9% 2nd dose 50.7%

Banana

1st dose 62.8% 2nd dose 48.8%

Gladstone

1st dose 67.3% 2nd dose 51.3%