Mental health fears in vax rate delays

BORDER closures that extend into 2022 will push more businesses to the wall and take a toll on mental health, leaders are being warned.

New modelling shows states leaning towards 90 per cent vaccination thresholds as a condition of opening up may not reach those milestones until almost mid-January.

Queensland and WA have backed away from opening up borders at the 80 per cent adult vaccination rate initially agreed by national cabinet.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has refused to confirm interstate and international reunions for Christmas, even if the state was at 80 per cent vaccination, and WA Premier Mark McGowan has said borders could be shut until April.

Modelling by Melbourne University’s Dr Chris Billington shows Queensland will not have fully vaccinated 90 per cent of people aged 16 and over until December 31, and WA not until January 1. But if they include everyone aged over 12, Queensland will not reach 90 per cent coverage until January 11 and WA January 12.

The possible border delays come as new ANU research shows the mental health of young Australians has deteriorated significantly.

Co-author Professor Nicholas Biddle said 71 per cent of parents reported worsening mental health for teens – even in states that were open.

“It’s not just living in one of those (lockdown) states which matters for someone’s wellbeing; it’s also seeing what’s happening and not being able to travel freely across the country,” he said.

Relationships Australia’s Nick Tebbey said strain on relationships was evident and uncertainty around Christmas could exacerbate that stress.