Cairns Moderna vaccine rollout: Schools confirmed for vax program

High school students will be the first people in Cairns to receive the Moderna vaccine with a school-based vaccination program starting in a matter of weeks.

HIGH school students will be the first people in Cairns to receive the Moderna vaccine with a school-based vaccination program starting in a matter of weeks.

Pharmacy Guild of Australia national president Trent Twomey said the first batch of Moderna vaccines would arrive in Cairns next week.

“The first lot are reserved for high schools,” he said.

“Moderna has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for use in all Australians aged 12 years and over.”

A health worker prepares a dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. Picture: AFP

Parents will receive informed consent forms from schools next week, which they must sign for their children to get the jab.

“When they arrive back from school holidays they will receive both doses, four weeks apart, during school hours,” Mr Twomey said.

“There will be no need to navigate complicated online booking platforms.”

State, private and independent schools are all included.

Adults must wait longer to receive the Moderna vaccination with high schoolers aged 12 and up given priority.

Cairns pharmacists and Pharmacy Guild president Trent Twomey. Picture: Supplied

Mr Twomey believed the magic 80 per cent number could be achieved in Cairns.

“Between school-based vaccinations, mass vax hubs and increased supply, there’s no reason – other than North Queenslanders not availing themselves of the opportunity – we can’t go to 80 per cent before November,” he said.

He said politicians were spruiking “80 per cent by Christmas” due to political fear of over-promising.

“Up until now, supply has been the rate-limiting factor. Soon the rate-limiting factor will be motivation,” he said.

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Originally published as Cairns Moderna vaccine rollout: Schools confirmed for vax program