Families across Queensland take-up ‘super Pfizer weekend’

The Gomez family, along with thousands of other Queenslanders, took to walk-in vaccination hubs this weekend as Pfizer eligibility expands to anyone 12 and older.

Young families rolled-up at hubs across the state during ‘super Pfizer weekend’ in an effort to secure greater freedom and boost the state’s vaccine rate.
With all Queenslanders 12 and over now eligible for the Pfizer jab, families jumped at the chance to walk-in and get their children vaccinated.
The Gomez family attended the Brisbane Convention Exhibition Centre this morning and got their boys immunised with no hassle and no wait time.

The Gomez family attend the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre Vaccination Hub, South Brisbane to vaccinate their 12 and 14-year-old boys. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Dad, Esteban Gomez said once public health messaging advised that over 12s were eligible for Pfizer, it was important his boys Sebastian and Elliot got protection and contributed to target vaccine rates.

“Two things motivated us to attend today, the convenience of the walk-in hub and wanting the country to open-up so we can start planning for travel,” he said.
Like many Queenslanders, the Gomez family have been unable to visit or see relatives for the past almost two years.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, during a tour on Super Pfizer Weekend, Vaccination Hub, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

“We feel very lucky to be here in Brisbane, I think the government has managed outbreaks well but we want to help boost vaccine rates and hopefully see our family in Argentina early next year,” he said.

Sebastian, 14, and Elliot, 12, received their first of two doses of the Pfizer-brand vaccine after their age group became eligible on September 13.

One of the newly appointed Deputy Chief Health Officers, Dr Lynne McKinlay, during a press conference about the ‘Super Pfizer Weekend Vaccination Hub’ at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in South Brisbane on Sunday. Picture: Liam Kidston

The boys have been wearing masks at school for many weeks and said they were just ‘getting on with it’.
“They are fortunate they still have in-person schooling and see their friends, mask-wearing and social distancing is a small price in the scheme of things,” Mr Gomez said.

Meanwhile, dad Geoff Still, and his 12-year-old daughter headed off to Doomben Racecourse to get their jabs over the weekend.

Mr Still said it was especially important for his daughter to get vaccinated as she recently missed out on an opportunity to train for ballet in Victoria due to border closures.

“Being a parent, it’s especially important to set an example for our kids by getting vaccinated,” he said.

“We can just be here for the long term and be able to share long term memories in being able to travel interstate and abroad with the knowledge we have done our bit for the community.”