Toowoomba region achieves 50 per cent Covid vaccination rate

The Toowoomba region has achieved a 50 per cent vaccination rate, putting it inside the top 15 of local governments in Queensland.

Jordan McConnell, paramedic (left) and Belinda Hu, registered nurse are proud to be part of the vaccination team for Queensland Health at the Toowoomba COVID-19 Vaccination Centre. Tuesday, October 5, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Toowoomba’s battle against the threat of Covid-19 has taken a major step, with half of the region’s eligible residents now fully vaccinated against the virus.

As of October 3, 49.7 per cent of people in the Toowoomba region aged 16 and above have had two doses of a Covid vaccine, while the area has also cracked the 70 per cent mark with first doses.

The latest statistics are a shot in the arm for the region as it continues to repel the continued danger of a local Delta outbreak.

The new Darling Downs Health-run vaccine super-clinic at Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre has been linked to the faster take-up, having administered 11,000 doses since it opened on September 15.

DDH has witnessed a huge increase in walk-in patients as well at the clinic, which has 20 vaccination bays currently operational seven days a week.

Health Emergency Operations Centre executive leader Michelle Forrest said the public knew there was now no good reason not to get vaccinated.

“We’ll do everything we can to accommodate people walking in,” she said.

“We would like to thank our Darling Downs Health region community for rolling up their sleeves and getting vaccinated.

“Having the vaccine remains the best way to protect yourself and our community from serious illness.

“Combined with Covid-safe behaviours like social distancing, vaccines are our pathway out of this pandemic and give us the best chance of keeping our community and businesses open and doing more of the things we enjoy.”

Ms Forrest also paid tribute to the hundreds of health workers who had contributed to the region hitting the halfway mark.

“I would also like to give a shout-out to our Darling Downs Health vaccination team – from our nurses, to our admin team, operational team, and infrastructure team,” she said.

“We couldn’t do what we do without their hard work.”

The result puts the region at 14th across the entire state for double-dosed adults.

Among the top performers is the Goondiwindi region, which has 72 per cent of its eligible population of 8300 fully vaccinated.

To book a jab at your closest clinic, please visit www.vaccinebookings.health.qld.gov.au.