Get vaccinated before it’s too late
Ahead of a wet season with severe weather predicted, the Queensland Premier urges FNQ residents to get jabbed ASAP
Cairns
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GET vaccinated before severe weather this summer could see you isolated and in danger of contracting Covid this wet season.
That’s the message from Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk who is urging FNQ residents to stop stalling and get vaccinated before it’s too late.
On Friday Ms Palaszczuk said with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting the potential for floods and cyclones this summer, time is running out for Queenslanders to get vaccinated, especially those who live in northern and central regions of the state.
“Severe weather could make it difficult for many Far North Queenslanders to get vaccinated this summer,” she said.
“I’m urging all Queenslanders – but particularly those in the Far North to get vaccinated now.”
Member for Cairns Michael Healy agreed.
“The perfect time to get vaccinated is right now,” he said.
“We all know how devastating the storm season can be here in the Far North, so please, get vaccinated as soon as you can.”
These pleas came as students at Mareeba State High School, west of Cairns, were the first to access Covid vaccinations thanks to an Australian-first partnership between the Queensland Government and community pharmacies via the FNQ Covid-19 School Vaccination Program.
The scheme supports community pharmacies to vaccinate students aged 12 and above in the familiar environment of their own school.
State Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said health experts were concerned about the ramifications of severe weather on the vaccination rollout due to the increased likelihood of La Niña development in the Pacific Ocean.
“We all know that Queensland is prone to floods and cyclones each year, which often means widespread damage, interruption to services and road closures – and often our northern and central Queensland communities are worst impacted due to cyclones and flooding,” Ms D’Ath said.
“Right now, we are offering as many vaccination clinics as we can in rural and remote communities across the state.” she said.
But Ms D’Ath said there may come a time this summer when it’s not safe or possible to get vaccination teams into certain communities due to severe weather.
“While we have been visiting our rural and remote regions to administer vaccinations, we know not everyone has come forward to be vaccinated yet,” she said.
“There’s absolutely no reason to delay the vaccine – Covid-19 will come to our regional communities, it’s just a matter of time.”
Ms D’Ath asked people to go to their nearest vaccination clinic.
“Or if your community is serviced by a vaccination outreach clinic – please make it a priority to get vaccinated when they’re next in your community,” she said.
Minister Seniors and Disability Services and Minister Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford said it was also important to remember natural disasters might mean evacuations.
“While all evacuation centres will operate under Covid Safe Plans, the best way to protect you and your family is to be vaccinated,” he said.
“Remember you need at least three weeks between each vaccination dose and then another two weeks for the vaccine to offer maximum protection.”
A number of outreach clinics will visit the state’s rural and remote communities in coming weeks across northern and central Queensland, in addition to established community vaccination centres.
Where to get vaccinated
Bunnings Smithfield
Pfizer only clinic
2-4 Mount Milman Drive, Smithfield
Saturday 8am to 12pm
Accepting all persons aged 12 and over as a walk-in during operating hours.
Cairns Convention Centre
Pfizer only clinic
Cnr Wharf and Sheridan St, Cairns City
Thursday 8am to 7.30pm
Friday 8am to 3.30pm
Saturday and Sunday 7am to 3pm
Accepting all persons aged 12 and over as a walk-in during operating hours.
Must present at least one hour before clinic closing and is limited by supply availability.
Cairns South Health Facility
Pfizer and AZ clinic
21-55 Walker Street, Bentley Park
Monday — Sunday 8am — 4pm
Accepting all persons aged 12 and over as a walk-in during operating hours. Must present at least one hour before clinic closing and is limited by supply availability.
Mareeba Hospital
Pfizer only clinic
21 Lloyd St, Mareeba
Monday 8.30am to 3.30pm
Wednesday 8.30am to 3.30pm
Friday 8.30am to 3.30pm
Mossman Hospital
Pfizer only clinic
Mossman Multi Purpose Health Centre, 9 Hospital Street, Mossman
Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 3.30pm
Saturday 8.30am to 3.30pm
Smithfield Vaccination Clinic (James Cook University)
Pfizer only clinic
Cairns JCU, Building A2, 1/14-88 McGregor Rd, Smithfield
Wednesday to Sunday 8am to 4pm
Accepting all persons aged 12 and over as a walk-in during operating hours.
Must present at least one hour before clinic closing and is limited by supply availability.
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