Townsville Hospital and Health Service surpasses 92 per cent vaccinated

Townsville’s population has reached a remarkable feat, which means it can close its vaccination hub for good. Find out why here.

Townsville’s double vaccinated population has surpassed 92 per cent as services at the mass vaccination hub are set to wrap up.

The figure comes as the doors Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s (THHS) hub at Woodman Court closed for the final time on Sunday, after more than 12 months of operation.

A total of 200 staff were employed to run the clinic.

THHS figures show as of August 17, 271,259 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine had been administered to residents.

Of that, 21,850 doses were administered to First Nations people.

The first dose rate for people over 16 years in Townsville now sits at 94.4 per cent, with double vaccinated rates sitting at 92.7 per cent.

For First Nations people, the fully vaccinated rate now sits at 82.1 per cent, and first dose vaccination rates were recorded at 87.4 per cent.

During its operation, the hub held 534 outreach or mobile clinics, which was the busiest outreach service in Queensland.

Michelle Curtis and Debbie Maclean out the front of the now closed vaccination clinic at Woodman Court.

Covid-19 vaccination lead Debbie Maclean said the vaccination hub had played a pivotal role in protecting the community during the height of the pandemic.

“When the clinic first opened, we knew we had a challenging, and huge, job ahead of us,” Ms

Maclean said.

She said while the hub was closing, Covid-19 was here to stay and advised people to stay on top of their doses at local GPs and pharmacies.

Cleveland Youth Detention Centre nurse unit manager Michelle Curtis and her husband Craig were the last through the doors on Sunday, receiving their boosters.

“Getting vaccinated is such an easy way to protect myself and ensure I have done what I can to remain healthy while travelling and working,” Mrs Curtis said.

“The Covid-19 vaccination is also offered to the young people I work with, and it’s important to lead by example and show them how to care for their own health and those of the people around them.”

Townsville HHS Chief Executive Kieran Keyes said he was proud of the Covid-19 response by staff.

“Without the community going on this journey with us and rolling up their sleeves to get

vaccinated, we could have been faced with a very different pandemic,” Mr Keyes said.

“I’d like to thank the staff, and the community for their efforts, it has been nothing short of

monumental.”

Originally published as Townsville Hospital and Health Service surpasses 92 per cent vaccinated