Covid vaccination: Far North youngsters roll up for jabs
Children aged 5 to 11 years can now receive Covid vaccinations ahead of the school year, as the region deals with a surge of cases of the Omicron variant.
Cairns
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YOUNGSTERS across Far North Queensland can now roll up as the vaccination program has been expanded to include those aged 5 to 11.
At Yarrabah some youngsters have already shown their commitment to keeping their community safe by rolling up their sleeves.
With the start of the new school year delayed until next month, Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service GP, Dr Peter Roach, is encouraging Yarrabah parents to bring their children in to receive their first dose.
Dr Roach said from Monday January 10, children aged 5 to 11 will be able to receive a child’s dose of the Pfizer’s Comirnaty vaccine.
“Some children have an increased risk from Covid-19, these include children with an underlying medical condition,” he said.
“Children living in crowded conditions have an increased risk from Covid-19 (and) we need to protect our families, communities and future.”
Dr Roach said Yarrabah residents can have their children vaccinated at the Bukki Rd or Workshop St Clinic and no appointment is necessary, as walk-up vaccinations are available.
Meanwhile, Cairns Catholic Education Services acting executive director Ian Davis said the wellbeing of students and staff was the top priority for Catholic schools in the Far North.
“That includes both physical wellbeing and continuity of learning,” he said.
“Our schools have been preparing for the possibility of remote learning and school closures for some time now, so that things can operate smoothly if we need to make changes fast. We are asking parents to consider what they can also do in the lead up to Term 1, to help keep our school communities safe and ensure learning can continue.”
Mr Davis said it was understandable that families might feel uncertain about their children going back to school, but he believed a conversation with a registered medical practitioner would help to allay some of their concerns.
He encouraged families to visit existing vaccination locations across the Far North, including various pharmacies, hubs and medical clinics.
On the weekend, Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, Professor Trent Twomey, attended Alive Pharmacy Warehouse in Westcourt as his two children received their first dose of the vaccine.
He said even one dose could give primary school students additional protection against the worst effects of Covid-19.
“In younger children, the first dose of the vaccine gives them great immunity,” Professor Twomey said.
“Arranging vaccination for your children before school returns is the best way to help get life back to normal as soon as possible.”
Professor Twomey said more than 1500 community pharmacists were taking part in the childhood immunisation program.
The website findapharmacy.com.au was an important tool to arrange vaccinations
bookings, he said.
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Originally published as Covid vaccination: Far North youngsters roll up for jabs
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