Huge change coming to Bunnings stores in Queensland

Sausage sizzles aren’t the only reason to go to Bunnings on the weekend anymore, thanks to a massive change coming to stores in one lucky state.

In a dream come true for many Aussies, Queenslanders can grab a Bunnings sausage while also getting their Covid-19 vaccination, as the hardware giant rolls out pop-up clinics in over 30 stores.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the news on Twitter declaring: “Pop-up vaccination clinics are coming to Bunnings. From this Saturday, you can get a Bunnings sausage and vaccine dose at several sites across Queensland.”

BREAKING: Pop-up vaccination clinics are coming to Bunnings. From this Saturday, you can get a Bunnings sausage and vaccine dose at several sites across Queensland 💪 #GetVaccinatedpic.twitter.com/NfaZ6nXDxO

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) October 11, 2021

Participating stores include the Brisbane suburbs of Browns Plain, Morayfield, Brendale, Bethania, Mt Gravatt, North Lakes, Stafford and Maryborough.

Regional areas will also get their snag and jab with pop up clinics in Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Dalby, Smithfield in Cairns, Fairfield Waters in Toowoomba, Townsville, Townsville North, Mackay North, Paget in Mackay, Airlie Beach and Kingaroy.

Other stores involved include Gladstone, Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Gympie.

Mike Schneider, Bunnings managing director, told news.com.au that the retailer was really pleased to be helping Queensland Health with the rollout of community vaccinations across South East Queensland.

He said they were hosting pop-up vaccination clinics in around 30 store carparks.

“We hope it makes accessing vaccinations as easy and convenient as picking up an item for a weekend DIY project,” he said.

“We’ve always tried to play an active role supporting the local communities where we operate, so providing space to QLD Health to accelerate the vaccination rollout just makes sense. Like everyone, we can’t wait to see the whole community protected so we can all get back to doing the things we love.”

Vaccine hesitancy is impacting Queensland’s vaccination targets with New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory, all having higher rates of vaccination.

People can grab a snag and a Covid vaccine at Bunnings from this weekend. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

On Monday, Queensland reached 70 per cent of those aged over 16 with their first dose, but vaccine hesitancy risks derailing the state’s bright future as others continue to open up, a new report revealed.

Deloitte Access Economic’s latest business outlook report suggests the state’s short-term future is being clouded by the government’s border policy and vaccine hesitancy.

The report noted that Queensland had the highest share of people unwilling to be vaccinated, and was home to the second-highest share of people yet to make up their minds.

“Vaccinations are Australia’s ticket out of the pandemic,” the report noted.

“And if Queensland remains a laggard on vaccine uptake, the positives for the state’s outlook will quickly dwindle.”

Around 52 per cent of Queenslanders are fully vaccinated, a similar rate to Western Australia, where 69 per cent have had a first dose, and 52 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Customers queue for sausages at Bunnings. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

Back in July, popular retailers around Australia were throwing up their hands to dish out vaccines to the general public – and now it finally happening appears to be happening.

Woolworths said it could offer pop-up sites for the public to get the Covid-19 vaccine, with

35 shopping centres in regional areas and seven large warehouses in outer metropolitan areas and believes it could offer suitable vaccination clinics to the broader public and also for its frontline staff.

Bunnings, which is owned by Wesfarmers, had also offered its sites around Australia to get people vaccinated.

Businesses groups including the big four banks, large accounting firms, airlines, telecommunications providers and major supermarkets met with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg to discuss how they can help with Australia’s vaccine rollout.