Covid message clear: get the jab

Covid-19

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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LiveLife Pharmacy's Larelle Reilly is encouraging people to get vaccinated. Image: supplied


Douglas Shire is expected to achieve an 80 per cent vaccination rate by Wednesday 29 December 2021, according to the Department of Health.

Although this is 12 days after the Queensland border will be thrown open on December 17, it will proceed irrespective whether 80 per cent of eligible Queenslanders are fully vaccinated.

But there is the continual call from Queensland Government officials that it could open sooner if people get the jab now.

Compared to surrounding Local Government Areas, the Douglas Shire is holding its own although it would need to boost the number of people who have not received their second dose.

From a population or 10,354; 73.4 per cent have received dose one and 60.6 per cent dose two.

Covid-19 vaccination rates by local government area, as of October 24, 2021:

CAIRNS
Population (15 and over): 133,038
Received dose one: 74.7%
Received dose two: 62.8%

CASSOWARY COAST
Population (15 and over): 24,343
Received dose one: 70.4%
Received dose two: 55.5%

DOUGLAS SHIRE
Population (15 and over): 10,354
Received dose one: 73.4%
Received dose two: 60.6%

MAREEBA
Population (15 and over): 18,704
Received dose one: 61.9%
Received dose two: 50.7%

TABLELANDS
Population (15 and over): 20,959
Received dose one: 72%
Received dose two: 60.7%

YARRABAH
Population (15 and over): 1919
Received dose one: 42.9%
Received dose two: 24.5%

‘Get the jab’ videos

Meanwhile, Douglas Shire Council announced today that a new round of short videos have been released featuring a raft of personalities from across the Shire with a compelling collective voice, and a clear message – get the jab.


And it comes with a walk-in vaccination clinic operating at the Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club on Saturday 30 October and again on Sunday 31 October.

The walk-in vaccination clinic at Port Douglas Surf Lifesaving Club, Four Mile Beach will operate from 10am to 2pm and will administer Pfizer vaccines for people aged 12 years and older.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr, who is chair of the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG), is hoping the videos will provide a nudge to those that haven’t gotten around to it yet.

“We haven’t experienced the sense of urgency that our friends in the southern states have encountered because we haven’t experienced community transmission of the virus in Douglas.

“COVID-19 will circulate in the Douglas community – sooner or later it will come here,” he said.

Thriving tourist destination

Kerr said as a thriving tourist destination, it’s imperative our community reaches at least the 80 percent double vaccination rate before December 17, when the state borders are planned to re-open.

“We will all come into contact with the virus – this is something we must be realistic about. When Douglas gets to the 80 percent vaccination rate, we are going to be much better able to manage – it will significantly reduce the chances of people becoming gravely ill, and it will significantly reduce the pressure on our health system.

“If you haven’t got around to it yet, please get on board, get the jab, and be proud of your contribution to keeping your community safe,” he said.

For more information or to access vaccination resources head to Council's website.

  

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