More than 50 pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics will open over the upcoming school holidays to provide easy access to the vaccine for families.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk encouraged all Queensland families to get their children vaccinated this school holidays. “COVID is still in our community. Vaccinations are vital when it comes to protecting our children along with their parents and grandparents as we potentially face new waves of the virus,” the Premier said.
“From Saturday, we’ll roll out a series of targeted pop-up vaccination clinics in shopping centres, schools, town halls and at tourist attractions to ensure vaccines are as accessible as possible for families during the school holidays.
“It’s never been easier to get vaccinated in Queensland.
“If you’re yet to get vaccinated, please come forward today.”
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the pop-up vaccination clinics would provide more opportunities for five to 11-year-olds to get vaccinated, and for eligible Queenslanders to get their booster dose.
“More than 50 pop-up or outreach clinics will be established, which will be in addition to more than 30 community-based vaccination centres and hospital sites already providing COVID-19 vaccination services,” Minister D’Ath said.
“These upcoming pop-up vaccination clinics will build on the excellent work we have already done over the past 13 months to get the vast majority of Queenslanders vaccinated.
“If you or your eligible children haven’t got vaccinated yet, or you are due for a booster dose – then please take this opportunity to get vaccinated. We are now in the second Omicron wave, so it’s important to be protected.”
Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said he hoped to see an increase in children’s vaccination rates in coming weeks.
“Since vaccinations commenced for five to 11-year-olds in early January, more than 43 per cent have received at least one dose, and just over 21 per cent have received two doses,” Dr Gerrard said.
“Children’s vaccination rates are lower than we would like. We know that we have very high childhood immunisation rates against diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, hepatitis B and polio, and we’d like to see similar rates for COVID-19 vaccination.
“While we acknowledge that COVID-19 in children is typically a mild disease, we do know that symptoms typically last longer for unvaccinated children, which can be disruptive to a child’s education and activities such as sport.
“Without vaccination, some children may also experience serious complications or long COVID from the virus, especially those with underlying conditions.
“It’s important to also remember that COVID-19 infection doesn’t provide lasting immunity – children can catch the virus again.
“COVID-19 is still here, and we continue to see thousands of cases a day, with case numbers increasing over the past week.
“Getting children vaccinated against COVID-19 will help protect them – and also help protect members of their household.”
To find your nearest vaccination clinic, visit the Queensland Health .
