Gympie Covid vaccine rate lags behind Queensland average

The Gympie Covid hub has delivered 9000 vaccines since July, but the region is still lagging behind the rest of Wide Bay and Queensland, and Tony Perrett is pointing the finger squarely at ‘mismanagement, mixed messages and double standards’.

Queues at the Gympie Covid vaccination hub were short Monday as residents were urged to roll up their sleeves and help boost a dragging vaccination rate in the region.

Gympie residents are being urged to roll up their sleeve and get vaccinated to prevent further shutdowns as the region’s uptake continues to lag behind the rest of Wide Bay and the state.

The latest government data reveals almost half of the region’s adult population still has not had their first dose of either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccines, with the number of vaccinations sitting at 52.2 per cent (of the population over the age of 16).

Less than a third (29,1 per cent) have received both jabs.

The State Government un centres have delivered 9664 vaccine shots since the rollout began; 9135 have been administered at Gympie’s Civic Centre hub.

The slow uptake is one of the reasons Queensland has fallen behind other states in the march towards the 70 and 80 per cent vaccination rates flagged as necessary for loosening restrictions.

Fully vaccinated Gympie MP Tony Perrett urged Gympie residents to step forward and help keep the region open.

“I encourage people to get vaccinated,” Mr Perrett said.

Latest vaccination rate data

“It’s the only pathway out of the economic, financial, and social stress caused by the restrictions.

“That’s why I got vaccinated.”

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Just why Gympie is dragging its heels remains uncertain.

Information from those working on the front line was scarce on Monday.

The Gympie Times left several messages with GP clinics administering the vaccines asking for comment.

None were returned by deadline.

One pharmacy involved in the rollout said they were unable to talk about the matter.

Residents are being urged to register for vaccination with Queensland splitting the role of Australia’s slowest rollout with West Australia.

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A Sunshine Coast Health and Hospital Services spokeswoman said several reasons were behind the delay.

“The COVID-19 vaccination rollout is no small feat, particularly in a state as decentralised and diverse as Queensland,” she said.

“The reasons for differing vaccination rates are varied.

Queues have been out the door in past weeks at the Civic Centre, but the region’s rollout has remained slower than others.

“Given the scale of the vaccination rollout and diversity of Queensland’s population, it’s not unexpected that some regions will be lower than others, and this may be for a range of factors.

“We expect areas to fluctuate over the course of the rollout, and there may be surges in vaccination activity, or periods where uptake slows down.

“We are continually reviewing vaccination coverage rates and focusing efforts and supply on specific areas to encourage uptake. Areas of focus will shift many times as the rollout continues.

Unsurprisingly, Mr Perrett laid the blame squarely on the State Government’s shoulders, saying it came down to “mismanagement by Queensland Health and the mixed messages and double standards from the Premier and Chief Health Officer”.

“It’s been mishandled locally, and the state is the worst in the nation,” Mr Perrett said.

“We’ve were told to register on websites that don’t work, our vaccination hub has been on, off, and then delayed for a month.

“It’s frustrating for everyone.

Gympie MP Tony Perrett has urged residents to get vaccinated and ensure the region is not affected by lockdowns in the future.

“It’s slow, it’s inept, it’s ponderous and it’s unacceptable for what is supposed to be a major public health service.

“They have mucked it up locally.

“No wonder people lose confidence and are hesitant.”

More than 9000 doses have been administered at the Gympie Civic Centre hub since it opened in late July.

The Federal Health Department was contacted for comment.

More than 9000 vaccinations have been delivered at the Gympie hub since it opened in late July.

Figures released by the Federal Government on Monday showed as of September 4, only 53.1 per cent of Queensland had been given their first jab.

The number dropped to 34.5 per cent for the second.

It split the race for the worst rates in the country, with Western Australia, where 53.4 per cent of adults have had one jab, and 34.2 per cent their second.

In comparison, 73.5 per cent of New South Wales’ have had their first dose and 40.8 per cent their second.

Anyone interested in registering their interest can either do so online or walk in.

Originally published as Gympie Covid vaccine rate lags behind Queensland average