Covid vaccines roll out across Far North schools in new program

A school-based Covid-19 vaccine rollout using the new Moderna jab has started in the Far North.

FAR North children aged 12 and up can now be vaccinated against Covid-19 at school with the new Moderna vaccine.

Senior students at St Monica’s College in the Cairns CBD rolled up their uniform sleeves on Wednesday to become the first in the country to take part in a new school-based jab program, run by pharmacists.

Pharmacy Guild of Australia president Trent Twomey said the organisation had worked with education departments across the country to get the program rolling with enough time to ensure Year 12 students could get both jabs on school grounds before graduating.

“I am proud to say that the program we launched here today will ensure that all children, before the end of Term 4, will (have the opportunity to be) fully vaccinated against Covid-19,” Mr Twomey said.

St Monica's College captain Natalia Loukas with Pharmacy Guild of Australia national president, Professor Trent Twomey, at the launch of the Guild's Australian school-based vaccination program in Cairns on Wednesday. Picture: Harry Murtough

“As you know, you have to get two vaccinations 28 days apart … and in Term 4 we have our seniors graduating a little earlier than everyone else so its really important that we get started this week so we can make sure that before those Year 12s graduate and go off into the big wide world they’ve had both of their vaccinations.”

He said the guild first floated the idea of a school-based rollout two months ago and both Catholic Education and Independent Schools Queensland had jumped on board immediately, while Education Queensland had only ticked off on the program hours before the launch.

Mr Twomey said the “wheels of bureaucracy” in Brisbane had “turned a little slower than we would have liked” when it came to getting a green light for the program for state schools.

“We were very quick to get agreements signed with the first two (but) we hadn’t as of close of business yesterday received a signed agreement from the Queensland Government,” he said.

“But I’m pleased to say that as of this morning we do … so as soon as we are finished here this morning the guild will be in contact with our local pharmacies in the Far North so they can reach out to those school principals and we can get that program up and running.”

Australian pharmacist Matilda Twist with a vial of Moderna Covid vaccine, which will be used to vaccinate high school students across the Far North. Picture: Richard Walker

St Monica’s school captain Natalia Loukas said being able to be vaccinated in a familiar environment made the process easier for young students.

“To be vaccinated in a familiar and friendly environment … (the students) are here every day they know the school, they know their peers … it really helps to create a nice environment for them to be in and also just for them for them to feel comfortable getting a vaccine.”

To be vaccinated through the program, students require parental consent.

Originally published as Covid vaccines roll out across Far North schools in new program