A CALL TO ARMS

TOTAL vaccination rates in Toowoomba are lagging behind some similar-sized regions and cities in Queensland, as the nation races to get 80 per cent of the population immunised.

Vaccination data for the Garden City reveals that of the 134,800 people aged over 15 years, 51.3 per cent have received their first jab and 31.3 per cent their second.

The Sunshine State is falling behind in the race to vaccinate with the state having four of Australia’s 10 local council areas with the lowest number of people immunised.

The data comes as health authorities encourage anyone eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccination to make an appointment as they explore options to provide as many opportunities for vaccination as possible in the community.

TOTAL vaccination rates in Toowoomba are lagging behind some similar-sized regions and cities in Queensland, as the nation races to get 80 per cent of the population jabbed.

Vaccination data for the Garden City has revealed that of the 134,800 people aged over 15 years, 51.3 per cent have received their first jab and 31.3 per cent have had the second jab.

In comparison, out of the 133,038 people in Cairns, 52.1 per cent have received their first dose, and 34 per cent of people were fully vaccinated.

The Sunshine State is falling behind in the race to vaccinate with the state having four of Australia’s 10 local council areas with the lowest number of people jabbed.

However one local government area in the Darling Downs has topped the table with their vaccination rate with Goondiwindi the best in the state, where 70.8 per cent of people have been given one jab and 49.7 per cent are fully protected.

In the Southern Downs, just 21.6 per cent of people are fully vaccinated, while in the Western Downs that figure is worse with just 20.7 per cent fully vaccinated.

A Darling Downs Health spokesman said they were pleased that more than 50 per cent of people have already rolled up their sleeve for their first dose.

“As we get more supply of vaccine we will look at all options available to provide as many opportunities for vaccination as possible to our communities,” the spokesman said.

Last week a Covid-19 vaccination clinic was held in Warwick where more than 3400 doses of Pfizer vaccine were administered. There will be a follow-up clinic for dose two in three weeks’ time.

“Across Darling Downs Health uptake of Covid-19 vaccination is sitting at well over 50 per cent for people aged 16 and older which is great to see,” the spokesman said.

“Our clinic at the Baillie Henderson Hospital campus provides vaccines from 8.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and is consistently fully booked.”