New initiatives launched to boost Covid vaccination rates in Far North Qld indigenous communities
A pop-up vaccine clinic at this weekend’s CDRL grand final is one of several new initiatives aimed at boosting the Far North’s Covid vaccination rate.
Cairns
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A POP-UP vaccine clinic at the Cairns rugby league grand final and a door-to-door service are among a series of new initiatives aimed at boosting the vaccination rate in the Far North’s Indigenous communities.
The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service will partner with the Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service to go door-to-door in Yarrabah from Monday to Wednesday to help boost community uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine.
According to the Australian Department of Health, Yarrabah has one of the worst vaccination rates in Queensland, with just 31 per cent of the population having received one dose and 18.2 per cent fully vaccinated.
The CHHHS will also provide the pop-up clinic at Barlow Park this Saturday when the Yarrabah Seahawks take on Innisfail in the CDRL decider.
CHHHS executive director Covid-19 vaccine program, Dr Don Mackie, said a shuttle bus service had been launched to transport vulnerable local groups to the mass vaccination hub at the Cairns Convention Centre as well.
“We have been looking at many different ways of boosting the vaccination rate in our First Nations communities, and these are just some of the short-term initiatives we are rolling out,” he said.
“We know that due to a higher incidence of chronic and underlying conditions, First Nations people are more likely to develop serious illness if they are infected with Covid-19.
“Vaccination offers the best protection against Covid-19.”
It comes as Queensland recorded five overseas-acquired Covid cases from a ship off western Cape York.
Chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said authorities were working with the ship now to see how sick the people were to determine whether they would need to be evacuated.
Dr Mackie said to date, nearly 65 per cent of the eligible population in the Cairns and Hinterland had received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
The mass vaccination hub at the Cairns Convention Centre is due to end on October 10.
Vaccination program director Kelly Pollock said more than 12,000 people had been vaccinated at the hub.
“The centre needs to revert to its regular function, and we will be announcing our plans going forward shortly,” she said.
“Our priority at the moment is ensuring people who really need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 are being given every opportunity to receive their jab.”
Walk-ins are welcome at all CHHHS sites, however those wanting to secure an appointment time can register here.
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Originally published as New initiatives launched to boost Covid vaccination rates in Far North Qld indigenous communities
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