NEW VACCINATION CLINIC TO OPEN IN CHERBOURG

DARLING Downs Health staff will run a second Covid vaccination clinic in Cherbourg from Monday.

It comes as there is renewed focus on vaccinating Indigenous people after a Covid outbreak infected about 10 per cent of the Wilcannia residents in western New South Wales.

A Darling Downs Health spokeswoman said the clinic would be accompanied by a question-and-answer session.

It will be led by Dr Katie Panaretto.

“There is a lot of information about the COVID-19 vaccination in the community, and it can be hard separating facts from myths,” she said.

“These vaccinations are safe, effective and the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting sick.

“I encourage everyone who has questions or concerns to come down to the town hall and have a yarn.”

The outbreak in western New South Wales has led to the first Indigenous Covid death since the pandemic started – a man who was reported to have underlying health problems.

Dr Panaretto said it was important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to consider getting vaccinated.

“This clinic is a great opportunity for people to not only protect themselves but also their communities, elders and families,” she said.

Darling Downs Health staff have administered about 50,000 vaccines in our region.

This is one top of the thousands of doses administered at GP clinics and pharmacies.

The Cherbourg vaccination clinic will be held from noon to 5pm on Monday, 8am-4.30pm from Tuesday to Thursday and 8am to noon on Friday at the Cherbourg Town Hall.

Two doses of the vaccine are required for full protection.

Those attending for their first vaccination are asked to please attend on either Monday or Friday.

The information yarn with Dr Katie Panaretto will be held on Monday, September 6, from 10.30am at the Cherbourg town hall.