FATE THAT AWAITS ANY WHO REFUSE THE VACCINE

THE story of Duran Raman is one that in many ways defines the latest stage of our battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. While the great majority of people have jumped at the opportunity to be vaccinated, Mr Raman declined the chance.

While most of us dutifully take the 10 seconds it requires to register at venues with the Check In Qld app, Mr Raman had not done so since mid September.

Now while the rest of the Gold Coast goes about its business, free of this awful disease, Mr Raman lies seriously ill in hospital.

It is a story repeated around the world, where “anti-vaxxers” have been paying the ultimate price for their misguided beliefs.

Mr Raman’s is the first such case on the Gold Coast.

It is unlikely to be the last. When Queensland’s border restrictions finally end just before Christmas, allowing more Covid in, anyone who remains unvaccinated will be acutely vulnerable.

There are still almost eight weeks left for such people to protect themselves – more than enough time to be double-dosed.

They need to visit one of the many vaccination centres on the Gold Coast and roll up their sleeves.

If they don’t, like Mr Raman, they risk an ignoble end, becoming another story emblematic of the current phase of our battle against Covid-19.