Mackay, Mirani getting COVID-19 vaccine next week

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry said the staged approach to the rollout would ensure those who need the most protection get it first.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt MP (second left) speaks with Professor Trent Munro (left) during a visit to the National Biologics Facility at the University of Queensland, St Lucia. The university is in phase 1 of clinical trials for the COVID 19 vaccine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Residents in Mackay and Mirani will be among the first in Australia to receive a COVID-19 vaccination from next week.

As part of the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccination program, people in priority groups who are most at risk and who need protection the most – will receive a vaccine first.

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry said the staged approach to the rollout would ensure those who need the most protection get it first.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government has worked diligently to ensure our nation has access to safe and effective vaccines,” Ms Landry said.

Queensland aged and disability care residents and workers at 41 locations around the state will receive the COVID-19 vaccine next week.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FULL LIST OF LOCATIONS

In Queensland the 41 locations, which could be home to more than one facility, stretch from the Gold Coast north to Mackay and west to Toowoomba.

The entire population of aged care residents and workers are expected to be vaccinated within six weeks.

“It has to start somewhere and it has to finish somewhere, but this is the beginning of the process,” Mr Hunt said.

Health Department Secretary Brendan Murphy said the government was “working directly with aged care operators ”to work out the logistics of the rollout”.

“This is a really, really exciting time but we are about to start the single-biggest and most complex, vaccination task in the history of this nation,” he said.

“There are so many players involved and there‘s so much planning.”

The Queensland Government will administer the vaccine to frontline health care workers as well as border and quarantine workers from six hubs.

The first three hubs to be operational will be at the Gold Coast University Hospital, Cairns Hospital and Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Queensland aged care locations to be vaccinated next week:

Albany Creek

Aspley

Bald Hills

Beaconsfield

Birtinya

Bray Park

Buderim

Bundaberg

Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Waters

Carseldine

Cleveland

Glenella

Glenvale

Harristown

Hope Island

Kearneys Spring

Kepnock

Lawnton

Mackay

Meridian Plains

Millbank

Mirani

Mudgeeraba

North Bundaberg

North Mackay

North Tamborine

Palmwoods

Pimpama

Redland Bay

Robina

Sippy Downs

South Toowoomba

Thornlands

Toowoomba

Upper Coomera

Varsity Lakes

Victoria Point

Warana

West Mackay

Woombye