Mackay Covid vaccination rates climb after access issues resolve

One of the lowest vaccinated regions in the country just a few weeks ago, Mackay has turned a corner with residents getting the Covid jab once access issues were ironed out.

Mackay is clawing its way higher in the vaccination rates but still lags behind the bulk of Queensland in safeguarding the community against Covid-19.

Latest vaccination rates figures show almost 24,900 of the region’s 92,300 population – or just shy of 27 per cent – have received both doses since the rollout began.

Another 17,000 have received the first jab, representing more than 45 per cent.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson, who received his second vaccine last week, says the region has turned a corner in boosting vaccination rates the lag of which he attributed to the median age and initial supply issues.

Almost 5900 vaccines were administered last week alone.

The Isaac region has administered only 26 per cent of first doses, with just 13 per cent of second jabs from a population of 15,572 aged 15 or above.

Whitsunday has delivered both doses to 21.8 per cent of its 29,012 residents aged 15 and above but 41.1 per cent have received their first dose.

“Mackay people have stepped up to the plate which is very encouraging,” he said.

“We’ve doing very well in the over 50s and upwards. What has held us back has been our very low median age – 38 years – and we’ve got a younger population which up until recently couldn’t get vaccinated.

“Pfizer, as of this month, is going to be increased in the Mackay region and we are hopeful we will catch up to the state and national average.”

Mr Williamson said Mackay was about 10 per cent behind those averages, and about 70 per cent of doses were administered at private GPs.

“That’s an indication it is an older community going to the doctor,” he said.

Mr Williamson said Mackay Hospital and Health Service aimed to deliver 1000 doses a day and last week averaged about 600.

“I doubt whether our vaccine hesitancy is any better or worse than regional Queensland but it worries me that people within our community, particularly the resources workforce and agricultural workforce, might think it is not necessary.”

The expanded vaccination hub, including hours of operations, at Mackay Showgrounds’ 500 Pavilion in late August has boosted the region’s access to doses.

Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert said it was imperative people got vaccinated now before Covid-19 spread to the region.

“It’s important that people just go and do it,” she said.

“Get your vaccination because if we’re going to keep Mackay Covid free, we’re going to need to be vaccinated.”