‘Older Aussies should encourage grandchildren to get vaxxed’

Former governor-generals are calling on Australia’s youth to get vaccinated as modelling showed deaths and hospitalisations would be nearly halved under a strategy to vaccinate younger cohorts.

Dame Quentin Bryce is calling on Australia‘s youth to get vaccinated in the fight against Covid-19. Picture: Danielle Smith

Former governors-general are calling on Australia’s youth to get vaccinated in the fight against Covid-19 after Doherty Institute modelling showed deaths and hospitalisations would be nearly halved under a strategy to vaccinate all adults as opposed to older people first.

As NSW recorded a record 291 cases, of which at least 50 were ­active in the community, Peter Cosgrove said jabs were the pathway back to normality.

“There is no doubt the best way we can protect one another and get back to normal is through vaccination. So my advice is that everybody should get both vaccinations and thus protect their families, their communities and all Australians,” Sir Peter said.

“In particular, I send this plea to younger Australians: you’re our nation’s future so get vaccinated.”

Quentin Bryce echoed the call, declaring vaccinations an essential protection. She said older generations knew the power and importance of vaccinations and encouraged them to share that ­information with their grandchildren.

“Grandmothers like me know the power of vaccination in preventing disease. We have seen it again and again. Whooping cough, polio, chickenpox ... Our top priority is always the health of our young ones – their futures, the next generations,” she said.

“We must keep on to them with texts, phone calls and when they drop groceries at the front gate about vaccinations and thoughts of our dear ones and neighbours living alone. Grandmothers are great advocates. Our most pow­erful tool is our voice and the ­example we set.”

Dame Quentin, who is locked down in Indooroopilly, Brisbane, and last week had her second dose of AstraZeneca, said vaccines could make a difference to one’s piece of mind.

“At home alone in Indooroopilly in sudden lockdown, there is a strange stillness. Even the birds are quiet,” she said. “The schoolchildren who come in their thousands to our neighbourhood every day are quarantined.

Former governor-general Sir Peter Cosgrove. Picture: John Feder

“It’s hard to stop thinking about them and their families, at risk in the pandemic.

“In the park nearby, cars line up at the testing station, set up on Saturday. Uncertainty and anxiety are palpable in conversation ­behind masks. What are the rules? What should I be doing?” For her, the answer is clear: vaccination.

Sir Peter said there was a lot to be proud of in terms of Australians’ response to the pandemic, but vaccines were the final piece of the puzzle. “We’ve looked after each other to a great degree by our sense of civic responsibility and personal sacrifice,” he said.

Lieutenant General John Frewen, commander of the nat­ional vaccine rollout, has developed a plan to get younger people vaccinated sooner, with “peak trans­mitters”, Australians aged 30-39, brought forward to the end of this month and the 16-29 age group from October.

“All age groups can access ­AstraZeneca,” General Frewen said this week. “The main reason for not opening up all cohorts to mRNA (right now) is filling up booking systems and not realistically being able to access the stuff.

“Again I’d encourage every Australian to make an informed choice now about whether they want to get vaccinated with what’s available right now or whether they wish to wait.”

Additional reporting:
Joe Kelly