NQ must raise vax rates

A COVID-19 outbreak in Townsville could be the only way to improve vaccination rates in the region.

The federal government’s latest data reveals the city has hit 50 per cent fully vaccinated, but Townsville still has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the state.

Even a Covid-positive aviation worker wandering through Townsville’s streets was not enough to drive up vaccination numbers, with only a 3 per cent increase in eligible people 15 and older getting jabbed last week.

Townsville is currently at 65.8 per cent for one dose and 50.6 per cent fully vaccinated.

This comes as the state government started a new campaign to get people vaccinated, with texts being sent to every Queenslander.

It is hoped borders will reopen at 80 per cent vaccinated, allowing people to travel around Australia by Christmas.

However, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is yet to say whether the border will open if the state reaches that threshold. Townsville GP Michael Clements (pictured) said there were tens of thousands of people in the city who were saying “I’m not ready” for a vaccination.

“I have to say, I’m nervous that the update, the rate of change in this region, hasn't been very strong, even after the scare last Thursday,” Dr Clements said.

Dr Clements said in response to the risk posed last Thursday. when a man tested positive in Townsville, he opened up extra vaccination appointments in hopes people would finally see the threat.

“There was some increase in interest, not enough,” he said.

“I’m told other clinics have felt the same thing. We just haven’t seen the significant increase that we’d hoped for.”

Dr Clements said the slow uptake had been in areas that had been Covid-19-free for some time.

“(That) tells you people seem to want to be waiting until they see Covid-19 in their family or their friends,” he said.

Dr Clements said vaccination rates were much higher in Victoria and New South Wales, where the communities had been living with Covid-19.

“When people see the threat, they are much more likely to respond.”

He said when he sees hesitant patients, he has them write down the reason, and what would have to change before they would get vaccinated.

“If they’re saying they don’t feel Covid is a risk … tell me, if someone in your family catches Covid-19 will that change your mind?” Dr Clements said.

The reality is Townsville may have to experience a serious outbreak before those who are waiting actually get vaccinated.

“We all know, as soon as there is community spread … people are going to want to give in then,” he said.

“At the moment, people are balancing the theoretical risk.”

Dr Clements said he hoped people wanted to be vaccinated.

“When I talk to people when I’m vaccinating them, they say ‘work made me do it’,” he said. “I’d much prefer if people came in of their own motivation.”