Why I got the Covid jab, writes Cairns Post editor Jennifer Spilsbury

We’ve spent our lives getting vaccinated to ward off disease and influenza. Then when a pandemic hits, we’re suddenly reluctant, writes Jennifer Spilsbury – but now is the time to act.

ON Thursday I received my second Pfizer jab.

It was quick and painless – but better than that, it will be effective.

Cairns Post editor Jennifer Spilsbury.

While I respect the right for individuals to make up their own mind I appeal for everyone to seek guidance from their GP if in any doubt, or other credible sources and not some ignoramus on social media.

There has been a lot of hesitancy and largely because of cynicism.

How could they develop a vaccine so quickly and it be safe?

Researchers around the world have been working hard to develop vaccines from the start of the pandemic and all involved collaborated to speed up the process.

Our region and our country depend on you getting Covid vaccinated.

Why did I get the jab?

I did it for my parents who are in their 80s and so that they can enjoy the valuable years ahead uninhibited.

I did it for the vulnerable in our community.

Calanna Pharmacy Woree manager Mo Elliessy prepares a syringe with a vial of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. Picture: Brendan Radke

I did it for my neighbours, my mates and my loving husband.

And I did it for my daughter and everyone else’s child so that we can hand over a healthy economy and the promise of a better future.

Somewhere along the line we’ve complicated all of this; and politicised it too.

We’ve spent our lives getting vaccinated to ward off disease and influenza. Then when a pandemic hits, we go: “Ah, nah, no thanks, mate.” What the?

It was ridiculous that I was invited to register for the jab in June but couldn’t book an appointment and then told to wait until contacted again.

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I’d still be waiting for that invite if I hadn’t persisted. And why people have to travel to the extremes of our city to get a Queensland Health vax is beyond me.

But finally things are speeding up and this weekend if you’ve been putting off getting a vax or couldn’t get an appointment, you can act.

Book or walk in to the Cairns Convention Centre and be a Covid hero.

Even if your job, business or life has been unaffected through all this, do a selfless deed and let others be as lucky as you.

Originally published as Why I got the Covid jab, writes Cairns Post editor Jennifer Spilsbury