The Qld LGA that won’t hit 80 per cent jab rate until June 2022

A shocking analysis has revealed the areas most at risk to an expected Delta wave when Queensland opens it borders at the end of the year, with at least one LGA unlikely to hit the 80 per cent jab rate until the middle of next year.

Poorly vaccinated Queensland regions could face Covid-19 lockdowns as the rest of Queensland opens up in time for Christmas, the Premier has warned.

And analysis of vaccination data suggests laggard regions – including Rockhampton and the Whitsundays – may not taste full-fledged Covid-19 freedom until Australia Day.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday released the state’s long-awaited road- map out of Covid-19, declaring December 17 would be the date Queensland’s borders reopen to fully vaccinated travellers.

But in a direct warning to a number of Queensland’s regions, the Premier said she would not hesitate to trigger “regionalised lockdowns and restrictions” if they didn’t get their jab rate up and ensure 80 per cent of the community was fully protected by then.

Those locked down areas also won’t have the buffer of federal government financial help, with assistance due to end once the state as a whole hits 80 per cent.

“There will be other freedoms that are only available to people who have been fully vaccinated,” Ms Palaszczuk said on Monday.

The national roadmap out of Covid-19 allows for highly targeted lockdowns and restrictions on the unvaccinated when Queensland hits 80 per cent fully vaccinated.

The latest local government area vaccination data revealed Cherbourg, Yarrabah, Isaac, the Central Highlands and Charters Towers remain the least protected councils in Queensland.

While Queensland’s vaccination rate rose to 72.5 per cent with at least one dose, Rockhampton, the Whitsundays, Gladstone and Mackay were yet to surpass 66 per cent of the adult population who have had just one dose.

Analysis by The Courier-Mail, based on current vaccination rates in specific regions, shows that the worst-performing areas could expect to be left behind until after Australia Day on January 26 if people don’t rally and get the jab.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Goondiwindi council area will likely surpass the 90 per cent vaccination rate by the time December 17 rolls around, with 88 per cent already armed with one dose as of Monday.

Originally published as The Qld LGA that won’t hit 80 per cent jab rate until June 2022