Get vaxxed to weather storm

GET vaccinated before severe weather this summer could see you isolated and in danger of contracting Covid this wet season.

That’s the message from Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who is urging FNQ residents to stop stalling and get vaccinated before it’s too late.

On Friday Ms Palaszczuk said that with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting the potential for floods and cyclones this summer, time was running out for Queenslanders to get vaccinated, especially those who lived in northern and central regions.

“Severe weather could make it difficult for many Far North Queenslanders to get vaccinated this summer,” the Premier said.

“I’m urging all Queenslanders – but particularly those in the Far North – to get vaccinated now.”

Member for Cairns Michael Healy agreed.

“The perfect time to get vaccinated is now,” he said.

“We all know how devastating the storm season can be here in the Far North, so please, get vaccinated as soon as you can.”

State Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said health experts were concerned about the ramifications of severe weather on the vaccination rollout due to the increased likelihood of La Niña development in the Pacific Ocean.

“We all know that Queensland is prone to floods and cyclones each year, which often means widespread damage, interruption to services and road closures – and often our northern and central Queensland communities are worst impacted due to cyclones and flooding,” Ms D’Ath said.

“Right now, we are offering as many vaccination clinics as we can in remote communities across the state.” she said.

But Ms D’Ath said there may come a time this summer when it’s not safe or possible to get vaccination teams into certain communities due to severe weather.

“While we have been visiting our rural and remote regions to administer vaccinations, we know not everyone has come forward to be vaccinated yet,” she said.

“There’s absolutely no reason to delay the vaccine – Covid-19 will come to our regional communities, it’s just a matter of time.”

Ms D’Ath asked people to go to their nearest vaccination clinic.

“Or if your community is serviced by a vaccination outreach clinic, please, make it a priority to get vaccinated when they’re next in your community,” Ms D’Ath said.

Minister for Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford said it was also important to remember natural disasters might mean evacuations.

“While all evacuation centres will operate under Covid-safe plans, the best way to protect you and your family is to be vaccinated,” Mr Crawford said.

These pleas came as students at Mareeba State High School, west of Cairns, were the first to access Covid vaccinations thanks to an Australian-first partnership between the Queensland government and community pharmacies via the FNQ Covid-19 School Vaccination Program.

The scheme supports community pharmacies to vaccinate students aged 12 and above in their own school.