Covid vaccine: Annastacia Palaszczuk’s plea for unvaxxed Gold Coasters

Queensland’s Premier has ordered Gold Coasters to “lift their game” in regards to its vaccination rates, as it continues to lag compared to other regions. WHAT SHE SAID

QUEENSLAND’S Premier has ordered Gold Coasters to “lift their game” in regards to its vaccination rates, as it continues to lag compared to other regions.

Recent federal government figures for eligible residents 15 and over reveal the Gold Coast is at 77.4 per cent one dose and 62.8 per cent double dose, while the Sunny Coast is at 82.1 per cent one dose and 67.5 fully vaccinated. State-wide, 65 per cent of Queenslanders have had two doses.

It comes as new restrictions were put in place in Goondiwindi and the border bubble tightens as a cluster in Moree grows. Around 245 people in Goondiwindi were tested after three cases were detected in the area on Thursday.

Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks to the media at a press conference in Brisbane on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jono Searle

Annastacia Palaszczuk said visitor restrictions will be imposed in hospitals and aged care facilities in Goondiwindi this weekend and border exemptions would be narrowed, while Moree would be removed from the Queensland-NSW border bubble, as the number of active cases there grows to 38.

The Premier said while there had been an increase in vaccination rates across the Gold Coast, the region was still well behind other regions.

“They need to really lift their game, like honestly,” she said.

“I am concerned, the Sunshine Coast has much higher vaccination levels than the Gold Coast and the Gold Coast is really close to the border and we’re seeing what’s happening in Goondiwindi and exactly the same could happen on the Gold Coast.

Gold Coasters are urged to get their first jab before borders begin to open up in coming weeks. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“I’m urging all Gold Coast residents, and even if you are going to visit the Gold Coast for a holiday, you should go and get vaccinated.

“It’s really important … Delta hunts down people, it hunts down the unvaccinated.”

Ms Palaszczuk said the state’s “biggest issue” was the 18-39 age group who had low vaccination rates.

“A lot of people in that age group are probably thinking ‘do I need to get vaccinated’ and the answer is ‘yes, you do’,” she said.

Gold Coast first jab vaccination rates are lagging compared to many other areas across the state. Picture: Brendan Radke

Brisbane Airport has been added to the Covid exposure sites, with an alert for anyone who was at Brisbane Domestic Airport on October 31 between 2.40pm and 6.04pm. Those at the Qantas food court area on level 2 at that time are considered a close contact.

Ms Palaszczuk warned that without vaccination rates continuing to rise, local hospitals would see a surge in Covid patients.

“If you are unvaccinated, you could end up in the hospital or ICU. This is happening in other states,” she said.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk visits a Vaccination Hub in Logan. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“This is a clear wake-up call to Queenslanders.”

Queensland was expected to hit a 70 per cent double dose in mid-November and 80 per cent in mid-December.

“I hope it will be earlier, but it is down to people going out and getting vaccinated,” she said.

“Having one dose is better than having no doses.”

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