Rugby fans to get jabs

FOOTY fans attending the rugby union double-header at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday will have the opportunity to roll up their jerseys to receive a Covid-19 vaccination.

While details are yet to be finalised, Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes confirmed plans for a vaccination team to be at the stadium.

The strategy aims to emulate the success experienced by trial pop-up vaccination clinics at NRL finals games hosted by Mackay and Rockhampton in recent weeks.

The decision to broaden Townsville’s vaccination strategy comes after a bittersweet Super Walk-in Weekend at Townsville’s vaccination hub, where Pfizer jabs were given to people without an appointment.

Mr Keyes said it was great to see more than 2209 people receive their vaccinations – 706 on Saturday and 1503 on Sunday – but he had hoped for a higher turnout.

“I was disappointed to see our northern rival, Cairns, trump us on vaccination numbers over the weekend,” he said.

“People no longer need to book an appointment to receive their vaccine.

“They can walk into the vaccination centre at West End at any time and I hope this removes any barriers for people hoping to get vaccinated.”

Forty per cent of people in Townsville are fully vaccinated and 56.2 per cent have received one dose, with a total 101,676 doses administered by the Townsville HHS.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said more than 56,900 Queenslanders were vaccinated over the weekend.

Ms Palaszczuk said the state’s vaccination rate would be a key factor in determining whether borders could reopen and Queenslanders could see their interstate relatives for Christmas.

It is understood chief health officer Jeannette Young and Ms Palaszczuk have shifted in the past week to the 90 per cent vaccinated figure as their preferred threshold for opening up the state.

Mr Keyes said vaccination was critical if people wanted life to return to normal.

“Fortunately, we have not been greatly impacted by the effects of Covid-19 in Townsville,” he said.

“But, unfortunately, I believe this is leading people to believe they don’t need to prioritise receiving the vaccine.

“The Covid-19 vaccine is how we ensure that our region doesn’t have to face the incredibly difficult impacts to business, mental health, and healthcare that other parts of Australia have experienced.

“There is a lot of noise out there in the community and on social media about the vaccine and much of it is not based on fact or science.”

Mr Keyes strongly urged people yet to receive their first Covid-19 vaccine dose to prioritise a discussion with their doctor.