Covid-19: Groom MP Garth Hamilton calls on Toowoomba residents to get vaccinated

“There has been a level of complacency in the broader community but now with the data in front of us and the Delta strain outbreak it’s very clear people need to make a decision to take the jab.”

AS THE Federal Government scrambles to secure additional Covid-19 vaccine doses to combat outbreaks across three states and lift millions out of lockdown, Groom MP Garth Hamilton has called on Toowoomba locals to do their bit and get vaccinated.

Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria are all experiencing outbreaks of the Delta variant of the coronavirus, and Mr Hamilton acknowledged the vaccine rollout faced early “challenges”, there was a bigger target than vaccinations.

“So far we’ve had a very small percentage of people in our community in ICU, and quite frankly the death rate in Australia is significantly lower than other comparable countries going through difficult periods,” he said.

“When we look back on Australia’s performance in keeping us safe I think the low death rate will be far more important than the vaccination rate, which will be forgotten in 10 years.

“No doubt about it, we’ve had some problems with the rollout early on, but in Toowoomba through a combination of good management and fortune we’ve managed to keep pretty safe.

“We’ve turned a corner in terms of vaccination, and as we see more and more locations open up to provide the vaccine I expect those record days to continue and the vaccination rate to increase.”

Mr Hamilton said the success of lockdowns in reducing the spread of Covid-19 have been a “double-edged sword” in that while they’ve kept the spread of the virus relatively contained, it has also increased vaccine complacency in the community.

“The harsh reality is we have done very well in keeping Covid-19 out of Australia, but it’s a double-edged sword in that there wasn’t the near and present risk like there was in other countries that have had major outbreaks,” he said.

“There has been a level of complacency in the broader community but now with the data in front of us and the Delta strain outbreak it’s very clear people need to make a decision to take the jab and I think that the overwhelming message is that it’s time.”

He urged those eligible to roll up their sleeves and book in an appointment.