Two jab clinics for rugby

TWO pop-up vaccination clinics will appear in Townsville’s CBD to coincide with Saturday’s rugby union doubleheader.

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) revealed that one clinic will be based at the northern entrance to Queensland Country Bank Stadium and the other at the Stanley St end of Flinders St as part of Townsville City Council’s Townsville Eats – Rugby Championship Edition.

THHS chief executive and keen rugby fan Kieran Keyes said the initiative, delivered in partnership with the Townsville City Council, was the health service’s first time bringing vaccinations into the community at a major event.

“We know locals love their footy, so we thought we’d capture all of the avid rugby fans and give them the chance to get vaccinated against Covid-19 at the same time,” Mr Keyes said.

“Each pop-up will have eight nurses and one administration officer, and all people need is to have their photo ID and Medicare card on them.

“Anyone over 12 can get vaccinated at either of these pop-ups and they don’t need an appointment.”

Mr Keyes said each pop-up had the capacity to vaccinate 200 people on Saturday.

On Monday he confirmed that appointments weren’t needed to attend the West End vaccination centre.

Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos said the vaccination plan was a terrific initiative from the Queensland government.

“We’re delighted to host the clinic at Saturday’s doubleheader for the people of Townsville,” Mr Marinos said.

“Initiatives like the walk-in on Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium as well as the Queensland government’s STEP UP and Make the Choice campaigns will support Queenslanders in getting vaccinated, to ensure life returns to normal as fast as possible.”

Mundingburra MP Les Walker said the nurses would be vaccinating from 1.30pm to 8pm at the Stanley St end of Flinders St and from 3.30pm until 8pm at the northern entrance to the stadium.

“If you’ve been meaning to get the vaccine but haven’t had the chance yet, this might be perfect for you,” Mr Walker said.

“We are so lucky in Townsville to be able to host large football games such as this and getting the vaccination ensures we can continue to do things like this in our region. I know other regional centres such as Mackay and Rockhampton had good success with boosting their vaccination numbers at recent sporting events and I have high hopes that these pop-ups will do the same for Townsville.”

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson said Townsville had the second-highest vaccination rate for a regional city in Queensland, behind Cairns.

“So as the Wallabies try to beat Argentina, let’s beat our northern neighbours by rolling up our sleeves at the same time,” Mr Thompson said.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the council, through the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group (TLDMG), was a strong supporter of the Townsville Hospital and Health Service’s efforts to get locals vaccinated against Covid-19.

“We will continue to provide assistance where we can,” Ms Hill said.