Vaccination blitz in Torres and Cape

Published Tuesday, 28 September, 2021 at 03:46 PM

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services
The Honourable Yvette D'Ath

The Palaszczuk Government is providing more opportunities for First Nations People to get vaccinated in the Torres and Cape region from this week.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said additional outreach vaccination clinics would visit communities across the Torres Strait, Cape York and Northern Peninsula Area this week.

Minister D’Ath is encouraging residents to roll up their sleeve and get vaccinated when outreach clinics are next in their community.

“Being fully vaccinated offers the highest level of protection, both against being infected and in helping minimise the seriousness of any illness if you do become infected,” Minister D’Ath said.

“It’s terrific we’ve kept COVID-19 out of our Indigenous communities, but we can’t be complacent. This is why we are revisiting these communities to ensure we are providing ample access for more people to get vaccinated.

“This week, our fantastic health staff have once again travelled to the Torres and Cape to set up outreach vaccination clinics across more than a dozen locations throughout the week, including  Cooktown, Bamaga, Mabuiag Island, New Mapoon, Injinoo, Umagico, Lakeland and Thursday Island.”

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the targeted community outreach vaccination clinics will continue into next week.

“From next week outreach vaccination clinics will revisit a number of communities, including Warraber, Iama, Moa and Poruma islands,” she said.

“This is about maximising coverage rates across the Torres and Cape region, and I want to encourage all eligible people to come forward for vaccination.

“Everyone aged 12 years and over is eligible to be vaccinated, including those who are pregnant, and all outreach clinics will accept walk-ins.

“Please don’t hesitate. You have another opportunity to get vaccinated to protect yourself, your family, and your community – so please come forward.”

All Torres Strait, Cape York and Northern Peninsula Area residents can check the ongoing vaccination rollout schedule on the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service’s website.

Media contact: Martin Philip 0407 675 008