Incentives for people to get vaccinated this weekend
Rolling up your sleeve to get vaccinated could land an unexpected bonus, with a feast of prizes and treats up for grabs when Cairns’ mass vax hub opens.
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ROLLING up your sleeve to get vaccinated in Cairns could land an unexpected bonus, with a feast of prizes and treats up for grabs.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service executive director of medical services Dr Don Mackie encouraged people to book now for a spot at the Cairns Convention Centre mass vaccination hub, with only a third of the slots currently taken.
One of the prizes included is the chance to win a one-night stay in a Flynn Sea King room with breakfast for two being offered by Crystalbrook.
“We have some prizes for people so there will be a prize draw for people coming in. There is going to be food here available, it is going to be a bit of a fun event as well as getting people immunised,” Dr Mackie said.
The aim of the weekend is to get 1500 people immunised a day to help get as many people vaccinated to ease the burden on businesses currently struggling.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said that vaccinations were the way of lessening the economic damage.
“There is another group of people that are suffering badly apart from the ones that have the virus but that is people in business,” Cr Manning said.
“There’s businesses in town that can’t afford another closure, that can’t afford for the market to be held back.”
The tourism industry in the Far North is struggling to cope, as border closures in Victoria and New South Wales keep domestic visitors shut out.
Crystalbrook Collection general manager Joel Gordon said August had been one of the most difficult months so far.
“We are a tourism state, every single time we have a border lockdown. People’s confidence to be able to travel and jump on a plane is heavily affected by that,” Mr Gordon said.
On top of the prize at the vaccination hub, Crystalbrook Collection has offered complimentary vouchers and free upgrades to guests who are fully vaccinated.
The first vaccination hub session opens this weekend at the Cairns Convention Centre.
Times are Friday 7am to 7pm, Saturday 7am to 7pm and Sunday 8am to 4pm.
Walk-ins are welcome but bookings and registration online are preferred at www.qld.gov.au/health.
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