82% in the Daintree have received their first dose
Covid-19 Information session
Queensland Heath has revealed that 82.7 per cent of the population in the Daintree area have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 70.9 per cent have received their second dose.
And in latest figures, the Australian Government’s Department of Health has disclosed that in Port Douglas-Daintree, 86.1% of those 15 and over have had at least one dose; while 75.6% of the same group have been fully vaccinated.
At a Queensland Health-run information session at Heritage Lodge in Diwan earlier this week, it was stated that vaccination rates vary across age groups with over 70s reporting 89.3% double vaccinated, while age groups under 60 all report less than 60% double vaccinated.
“Queensland heath officials spent time in the Daintree earlier this week to answer questions about potential future lock downs and information about the safety and/or efficacy of Covid-19 vaccinations available,” said Karen Spies, CHHHS COVID-19 vaccine program nursing director (rural and remote).
Ms Spies said we thank the people, including Douglas Shire council staff, Queensland Police and local business owners, who met with myself and two colleagues from the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service in the Daintree for an information session about COVID-19 vaccinations.
“We provided information on how to assess expert advice, health care standards, as well as the latest information about COVID-19 vaccines, including the proven medical science behind them.
“We also provided an update on local vaccination rates and we addressed local concerns people may have about the vaccine,” she said.
Ms Spies said while we have been largely successful in keeping COVID-19 out of Far North Queensland, once the state borders open, there is an increased risk of a COVID outbreak, so we need to make sure that as many people as possible are vaccinated against the virus.
“Higher rates of vaccination in our community will reduce the likelihood of infection and give greater protection for people who can’t be vaccinated. This will, in-turn, reduce the likelihood of a local outbreak and the necessity for lockdowns and tighter social restrictions.
“Vaccination remains our best chance to combat the virus and protecting people from long term disease,” she said.
The Douglas Economic Recovery Group, was also present at the session.
It was set up during COVID lock downs in 2020 to provide a forum for the community and relevant agencies, such as Douglas Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Port Douglas Daintree, to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 and investigate ways to provide relief to businesses and residents in Douglas Shire.
Since then, Council has employed a Tourism and Economic Development Officer to work closely with the business community and endorsed an Economic Development Strategy to build resilience and broaden the economic structure of the Douglas Shire.
Council continues to collaborate with TPDD and the Chamber of Commerce to build resilience and response to COVID among our business community.
Vicky Bidwell, who manages the Heritage Lodge, said it was positive and those present learned a lot from the session.
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Go to: Vaccination numbers and statistics | Australian Government Department of Health