COVID-19 vaccines boosted

THE weekly number of doses of AstraZeneca being provided to general practices across the nation is being ramped up, including the Far North .

Participating general practices which have been receiving 50 doses per week, will now receive 150 doses per week, and general practices receiving 100 doses per week, will now receive 200 doses per week as from next week.

Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch (left) said the increased doses would give Cairns and Far North Queensland residents more choice and local GPs more capacity.

“The Australian Government is providing more vaccines to protect more Far North Queenslanders earlier,” he said.

“As we start the next steps of our vaccination program for people 50 years and over, we continue to ensure our priority populations can access the vaccine as soon as possible.”

“Primary care vaccination sites have now administered more than 1.2 million vaccinations – more than half the total so far.

“This is an amazing achievement in such a short amount of time and a true reflection of the capacity of the sector and the trust that Far North Queenslanders and Australians as a whole put into their GPs.

“To all Far North Queensland residents, please come forward and get vaccinated.

“It will help protect you, your family, your friends, your workmates, everybody. It will keep you, and the country COVID safe.”

Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Greg Hunt said general practice was leading the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine to people aged 50 and over and would be an integral partner in the delivery of the national program.