Toowoomba region passes 95 per cent vax rate, 91.4 per cent second second dose

Toowoomba residents have responded to the call to get vaccinated, with the region’s first-jab rate passing 95 per cent. Its second-dose rate is also ahead of Queensland.

Toowoomba’s first-dose Covid-19 vaccination rate has passed 95 per cent. Picture: Tony McDonough / NCA NewsWire

More than 95 per cent of residents in the Toowoomba region have now had at least one Covid-19 jab, as the local government area continues to remain ahead of the state’s total.

New data from the Federal Government this week has put the region’s double-vaccination rate at 91.4 as of January 3, out of an eligible population of 134,800.

This is ahead of Queensland’s current double-jab rate of 90.8 per cent, and puts the region ahead of other major regional councils like the Sunshine Coast (94.4 per cent) and Townsville (90.8 per cent).

It means 11,592 people are still not protected against Covid-19, while another 6000 residents have not even had one jab.

The Toowoomba region is one of just 11 local government areas to have more than 95 per cent of residents with at least one shot, while Goondiwindi is the only region to have reached the milestone with second jabs.

Statistics on booster shots are still not available by the region, but the Federal Government is hoping to have that data made available soon.

Concerns have been raised about Queensland’s flagging vaccination rate, as Omicron continues to spread through communities across the state.

The Darling Downs saw another 80 actives cases reported on Wednesday, bringing the total current caseload to 245.

Another 683 people received a vaccination across the Darling Downs at state-run clinics.

Health authorities are investigating 607 active and previous cases for their likely source in the Toowoomba region.

For updates, head to www.qld.gov.au/health.