What looming Covid hub closure means for Gympie’s unvaccinated

The region’s main Covid vaccination hub at the Gympie Civic Centre is expected to shut its doors at the end of October despite the region having the lowest double vaccination rate in the Wide Bay.

Residents who have yet to get their first shot against Covid have only three days before they might be forced to head as far south as Caloundra to get vaccinated.

Almost 44 per cent of Gympie region residents over the age of 15 are now fully vaccinated, the lowest vaccination rate in the Wide Bay and lower than the Queensland rate of 48.7 per cent.

But from this Friday, October 8, the regions’ vaccination hub at the Civic Centre will shift its focus primarily to second dose jabs ahead of its impending closure at the end of the month.

A SCHHS spokeswoman said first dose shots will still be administered after Friday, but people will need to go elsewhere for the second shot.

“There’s still time to come in and get your first dose before October 8, and while appointments are preferred, the clinic is accepting walk-ins,” she said.

“Those who receive their first dose after 8 October will be given an appointment for their second dose at another clinic such as Caloundra Indoor Sports Centre which opens (that same day).”

A new centre opening at Caloundra on Friday will be the new go-to State Government run centre for Gympie residents who do not want to book at a GP or pharmacy.

The end-of-month shutdown raises questions about how the Gympie region will reach the 70 per cent and 80 per cent double vaccination goals being touted by the Federal Government as the key to reopening the country.

As of Sunday less than half of the region’s population, 44.3 per cent, aged 15 or older had received both shots.

This was the lowest rate in the Wide Bay.

The percentage of the region to have received their first does was 63.3.

More than 16,000 does have been delivered by the clinic since it opened at the end of July.

The looming closure raises questions about how and when Gympie will hit the much spruiked 70 per cent and 80 per cent double vaccination rates, with half the region still not having received both.

The Federal Government’s vaccine clinic finder shows 11 GP clinics in the region are offering the Pfizer vaccine, including two at the Cooloola Coast.

Bookings for the AstraZeneca shot can be made at seven pharmacies.

The spokeswoman did not respond to questions on whether there was concern about closing the hub, which was the last centre in the Wide Bay to open.

“The Gympie Civic Centre clinic is due to close on 28 October so from 8 October 2021, the clinic will focus on providing second dose vaccinations.

“Vaccination is an important step to protect our community and get back to doing the things we love.”