Vaccine waiting game

No date set for Kingaroy as higher risk regions line up for jab first

AUSTRALIA breathed a sigh of relief as the first COVID vaccines were administered as part of phase one across priority metropolitan areas last week.

With Cairns announced as the first site in regional Queensland to get the jab, the question on everyone's lips was when would the vaccine be available in other regional and remote areas.

Queensland health said it didn’t know when Kingaroy Hospital would receive the Pfizer vaccine.

“Queensland Health is working closely with the Australian Government on the vaccine’s roll out, which must be staged as we receive stocks of vaccine,” a Queensland Health spokeswoman said.

“We want all Queenslanders to have the opportunity to be protected against COVID-19, including our regional, rural and remote communities.

“This vaccine effort is the greatest in global history. Vaccine supplies are limited, and Australia must prioritise who receives the vaccine, and when.”

The vaccine has so far arrived at Gold Coast University Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Townsville University Hospital and Cairns Hospital, which have been identified as higher risk locations for COVID-19 exposure.

“The Department of Health is working with all hospital and health services, including Darling Downs, on planning and preparing for the vaccination rollout,” the spokeswoman said.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the rollout would begin with quarantine and border workers, frontline healthcare workers, over 70s and younger people with severe underlying conditions, before eventually being expanded to include the rest of the population.

“No one will be missed here,” Dr Young said.

“Anyone 18 years of age or over will be able to be vaccinated except for a very few, small cohorts.

“That is our plan and that’s what will be rolled out here in Queensland.”