Annastacia Palaszczuk received Pfizer vaccine ahead of possible Olympics trip

The Queensland premier finally received her first Covid jab but was criticised over her “nonsense” reason for choosing Pfizer over AstraZeneca.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been blasted after revealing she chose to receive the Pfizer vaccine so she can potentially travel to the Olympics in Tokyo.

Ms Palaszczuk, who is the final state or territory leader to receive her first vaccination, revealed the news on social media on Monday morning.

“I just received my first Covid jab thanks to Dawn Pedder (the nurse),” she wrote accompanied with a clapping hands and hands raised emojis.

“Today I got the Pfizer vaccine in the event I need to travel to Tokyo for the Olympics.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk receiving her first Pfizer dose. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

She did not explain why she may need to travel to Japan, however Brisbane is bidding for the 2032 Olympics.

The wait between the first and second Pfizer Covid jab is just three weeks compared to 12 weeks for the AstraZeneca vaccination.

Ms Palaszczuk’s message was quickly criticised online.

“You’re keeping my elderly parents from travelling back to their home in Queensland despite the fact they’re in regional Victoria which has ZERO cases; but you’re tweeting nonsense about going to Tokyo?! How appalling,” one user wrote in reference to the state’s hard border.

Ally Burt agreed with the previous commenter.

“Because that’s essential travel is it? Happy to close the borders to other states with small outbreaks. But will consider travel overseas where the risks are higher for political gain,” she posted on Twitter.

Last month, Ms Palaszczuk said she had not had her vaccine because she was getting a flu shot first and needed to wait the required two weeks before she could get the Covid-19 vaccine.

Because that’s essential travel is it? Happy to close the borders to other states small outbreaks. But will consider travel overseas where the risks are higher for political gain? 🤬

— Ally Burt (@AllyBurt) June 7, 2021

The Premier also said last week she had delayed her COVID-19 vaccination because she had to get a tetanus jab after her dog bit her.

The Pfizer vaccine is now recommended for people aged under 50 due to the risk of an extremely rare blood clotting condition associated with AstraZeneca.

The premier has routinely been blasted about her state’s Covid-19 response. In February, NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet branded her as “selfish” for her government’s refusal to pay its hotel quarantine bill.

There was also outrage when she said Queensland hospitals were “for our people only” last year.

“People living in NSW they have NSW hospitals. In Queensland we have Queensland hospitals for our people,” she said during a press conference in August.