Southern Downs super clinic opens Pfizer COVID vaccine to all residents aged 16+

Hundreds of residents across the region and even northern NSW have already taken advantage of the limited opportunity to be fully vaccinated against COVID with the Pfizer variant.

PFIZER JAB: A vaccination super clinic at Goondiwindi Hospital is offering the Pfizer COVID vaccine to anyone aged 16 and over. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Residents across the Goondiwindi area and the wider Southern Downs have scored a limited opportunity to be fully vaccinated against COVID with the in-demand Pfizer variant.

The Pfizer vaccination super clinic at Goondiwindi Hospital is offering the first dose of the immunisation on a walk-in basis, with the second appointment booked in three weeks from that date.

The joint initiative from Darling Downs Health and Goondiwindi Regional Council will operate until Thursday, and is open to residents aged 16 and above across the region and communities over the border such as Moree, North Star, and Tulloona.

Goondiwindi Mayor Lawrence Springborg urged as many people as possible to take advantage of the opportunity, with the only exclusion applying to those of age who have already been vaccinated against COVID.

“I think it was a bit slow to start, but it’s been ramping up every day. Since we’ve put a lot of focus on this in the last two days, the lines are growing bigger, and people have been happy to wait,” Cr Springborg said.

“It is an extraordinarily privileged opportunity we have. A lot of people have been calling for Pfizer and it’s here in Goondiwindi with copious quantities of it, so please don’t miss your chance.”

Queensland Health data indicates 457 doses of the vaccine have been administered at Goondiwindi Hospital on Wednesday alone, bringing the town’s total to 1686.

Close to 600 residents have been vaccinated at Warwick Hospital and another 275 at Stanthorpe Hospital.

With 11 council areas across southeast Queensland plunged into yet another snap three-day lockdown this week and the state’s active case total continuing to climb, Cr Springborg said high vaccination rates would be key to keeping communities running.

“Because we’ve been relatively protected, I think we’ve become a bit complacent, but vaccination is a way to give yourself that sense of confidence and it’s something we can do to protect ourselves and each other,” he said.

“Vaccination has always made a huge difference in controlling disease in human history, and again we’ve got the chance to make a difference.”

Four new cases of COVID have been confirmed in Queensland within the past 24 hours.

The Pfizer vaccine could reach Warwick within several weeks if the Condamine Medical Centre’s application for access is approved by the Federal Government.

The free vaccination super clinic will operate at Goondiwindi Hospital from 8.30am - 4pm until Thursday.

Residents do not need to book but should take their Medicare card and be prepared to wait in line.