November 10, 2021
There are plenty of opportunities for residents in the South Burnett to get vaccinated against COVID-19 over the next few days, with “pop-up” clinics popping up everywhere!
Health workers, politicians – and even sports stars – have been visiting the region recently to spread the urgent message for people to get vaxxed.
The official visits are a bid to counter the misinformation and disinformation proliferating on social media.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and health officials have repeatedly warned that once Queensland “opens up” on December 17, the SARS-CoV-2 virus – the virus which causes COVID – will start circulating within the State.
- External link: About The COVID-19 Vaccine
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Where To Get Vaccinated
A pop-up COVID-19 Pfizer vaccination clinic is open this week at Kingaroy Showgrounds:
- Wednesday – 7:30am – 6:30pm
- Thursday – 7:30am – 6:30pm
- Friday – 7:30am – 11:30am
The “Bush VaxBus” will be at various locations this week:
- Cooyar – Cooyar Memorial Park, McDougall Street – 1:30pm to 4:30pm, November 10
- Yarraman – 7 Emmert Street – 8:30am to noon, November 11
- Maidenwell – Pool Street Service Road – 1:30pm to 4:30pm, November 11
- Wooroolin – Dalton Park – 8:30am to 10:30am, November 12
- Tingoora – Sportsground, Charlestown Road – 1:00pm to 4:00pm, November 12
- Proston – Blake Street (opposite Library) – 9:00am to noon, November 13
This weekend Pfizer vaccinations will be available from the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service at:
- Kingaroy State High School – Saturday only (Nov 13) – 9:00am – 2:00pm
- Murgon State High School – Saturday (Nov 13) 8:00am – 3:30pm and Sunday (Nov 14) 8:00am – 2:00pm
- Nanango State High School – Saturday (Nov 13) 8:00am – 3:30pm and Sunday (Nov 14) 8:00am – 2:00pm
Pfizer vaccinations are also available at the Murgon Visitor Information Centre next week:
- 9:00am-4:00pm – Tuesday (Nov 16) and Wednesday (Nov 17)
Also next week:
- At the South Burnett Health and Community Services Expo in Kingaroy Town Hall – Thursday (Nov 18) noon-5:00pm; and Friday (Nov 19) 9:00am-3:00pm.
Vaccinations are also available at GP clinics and pharmacies across the region (data supplied by SBRC):
- Blackbutt Medical Centre Blackbutt – AstraZeneca
- Blooms the Chemist Kingaroy – AstraZeneca and Moderna
- Blooms the Chemist Kingaroy Town Centre (IGA) – AstraZeneca and Moderna
- Bunya Pines Family Practice Kingaroy – AstraZeneca
- Cherbourg Community Health – Pfizer
- CRAICCHS Cherbourg – Pfizer
- Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse Kingaroy – AstraZeneca and Moderna
- Haly Health and Skin Medical Centre – AstraZeneca and Pfizer
- Taabinga Family Practice Kingaroy – AstraZeneca and Pfizer
- Kingaroy Discount Drug Store – AstraZeneca and Moderna
- Kingaroy Medical Centre Kingaroy – AstraZeneca and Pfizer
- Murgon Family Medical Practice Murgon – AstraZeneca only
- Nanango Discount Drug Store Nanango – AstraZeneca and Moderna
- Nanango Medical Centre Nanango – AstraZeneca and Pfizer
- Wondai Medical Centre Wondai – AstraZeneca only
[UPDATED]
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Health Alerts
A public health alert has been issued for contact tracing locations in Warwick following confirmation of a positive case in the community.
The resident, who is unvaccinated, is believed to have returned to Warwick after visiting Moree in NSW and has potentially been infectious in the community for 10 days.
Moree has been linked to a major outbreak of COVID-19 cases which also spread across the border into Goondiwindi.
Alerts were also issued in Queensland on Wednesday night for sites in Robina, Bundall and Nerang after a 32-year-old man tested positive on the Gold Coast. It is unknown at this stage how he was infected but was possibly infectious in the community for up to six days.
The latest locations join recently listed sites in Upper Coomera, Cairns, Mission Beach, Goondiwindi and at Brisbane Airport.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters that as at Wednesday morning, Queensland vaccination rates were at 79.84 per cent first dose, and 67.84 per cent fully vaccinated.
At 80 per cent first dose, masks will no longer be required in the south-east LGAs where they have been mandatory.
- External link: Contact Tracing Exposure Sites
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New Mandate For Health Workers
COVID-19 vaccinations will be mandated for all private healthcare staff across Queensland, including staff working in hospitals, aged care and disability services.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath announced the “Workers in a Healthcare Setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction” on Wednesday.
“Under this Direction, everyone working in healthcare must be vaccinated by December 15, including private health workers,” Minister D’Ath said.
“We’ve already mandated the jab for Queensland Health staff and now we’re applying the same set of rules for private sector healthcare workers.
“It’s critical that all health workers, including students and volunteers, are protected. They face a high infection risk, especially clinicians on the frontline.”
The Direction extends to health professionals, contractors, independent third party providers, and employees or volunteers engaged by external agencies.
It applies to a vast range of healthcare settings including private hospitals, day surgeries, GP clinics, pharmacies, optometrists, private nurse offices, allied health clinics, dental surgeries, and private pathology centres.
The Direction also applies to in-home aged care, many disability support services, and not-for-profit and NGOs providing public healthcare services.
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Home Quarantine
Home quarantine will become easier for some returning Queenslanders and eligible interstate travellers once the 70 per cent double-dose vaccination mark is reached.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said this followed the success of the recent home quarantine trial.
“More than 1000 people in eight local government areas in south-east Queensland took part in the trial and their feedback has been very positive,” she said
“You will be able to quarantine at any self-contained dwelling, as long as it has no shared common areas that are accessible by people outside the household.
“This may include a standalone house or a unit, townhouse or duplex that has its own entrance.”
However, interstate travellers must still arrive by air.
“You will be able to arrive at any Queensland airport, but you can only transit to another destination if you transit through Brisbane. You can then drive to your home quarantine residence, as long as it’s within two hours without stopping. You can travel by either private car, a hire car with contactless pick-up, or an endorsed transport provider,” Minister D’Ath said.
People wanting to home quarantine must still:
- Be fully vaccinated (they must have had two doses of the vaccine, with at least two weeks between their second shot and their entry into Queensland),
- Have returned a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to entry,
- Ensure anyone else residing in the household also quarantines,
- Use the home quarantine check-in service,
- Maintain contact records for anyone attending the property, and
- Get a PCR test at a drive-through clinic, using a private vehicle, on days 1, 5 and 12.
[UPDATED]
