‘It started off slow’: Yarrabah falling behind in vaccination race

A Far North mayor is pushing to turn around a shocking statistic that warns fewer than one in 10 residents are fully protected against Covid-19.

A FAR North mayor is pushing to turn around the shocking statistic that fewer than 10 per cent of people living in the community are fully protected against Covid-19.

A massive Torres Strait effort has excelled at protecting an at-risk Indigenous population, but the town of Yarrabah near Cairns has a lot of catching up to do.

A total of 24.40 per cent of Yarrabah locals have received the first Covid dose, and only 8 per cent have presented for a second jab.

Less than 25 per cent of Yarrabah residents over the age of 15 have had both Covid vaccinations. Picture: Brendan Radke

MORE NEWS

Yarrabah protests Covid-19 lockdown

‘People are bleeding’ amid jobs crisis

Facilities activated at Yarrabah clinic

The community of 1919 residents aged over 15 years is ranked among the nation’s lowest in terms of the vaccination uptake rate.

But availability of the vaccine was not the problem, Yarrabah Mayor Ross Andrews said.

“The vaccine has been available in the community but like everywhere there has been hesitancy,” he said.

“We have to work really hard to get everyone on-board and we will continue to work hard at the local level.

“It started off slow but we are starting to get some traction now.

Yarrabah Shire Council Mayor Ross Andrews. PICTURE: SUPPLIED

“We are encouraging people to get the facts from their GP and to look after themselves, their community and family.

“The Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service is working hard with Queensland Health.”

In response to Queensland falling behind vaccination targets Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Sunday revealed there will be a new mass-vaccination hubs set up to boost jab uptake rates.

Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk talks to media with a Covid update on Sunday. Picture: Peter Wallis

Ms Palaszczuk ramped up her calls for Queenslanders to get vaccinated, declaring every day was “critical” before the next Delta outbreak hits.

“We are targeting now where we need to lift those vaccination rates up in people,” she said.

“Let’s work together and get it done,” she said.

Originally published as ‘It started off slow’: Yarrabah falling behind in vaccination race