Renewed call for Townsville and North Queensland to get COVID jab
Date published: 18 October 2021
As Queensland prepares to enter the next stages of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Mayor Jenny Hill has again urged Townsville residents to get vaccinated.
The Queensland Government today unveiled a plan which includes greater freedoms for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID, including being able to cross the border from interstate hotspots in time for Christmas.
As of today, 72.26 per cent of Queenslanders have had one dose, while 56.58 per cent are fully vaccinated.
“While the state-wide vaccination rates are encouraging, if you dig a little deeper into the statistics you see the rates in regional and remote areas are not where they should be. They should be much higher,” Cr Hill said.
“This is of tremendous concern, especially as we approach the traditional wet season and the risk of natural disasters increases.
“If you’re waiting to see how effective the vaccine is, you don’t need to wait any longer.
“More than 2.3 million doses of the vaccine have now been delivered and the data shows people who are fully vaccinated are 86 per cent less likely to catch COVID and pass it on.
“If you are fully vaccinated your chance of dying from COVID-19 falls by 90 per cent.
“The evidence is clear and if you want restrictions to be lifted, now is the time to get vaccinated.
“The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter. By coming together and getting vaccinated, we can ensure the New Year will be one free of the shackles of COVID-19.”
Visit Queensland Health for vaccination locations.
