Three community-based vaccination locations in southeast Queensland will begin in the coming weeks.
An additional seven community-based vaccination locations will progressively be opened.
The state is preparing for mass vaccination when supplies of Pfizer vaccine are expected to increase in the last quarter of 2021.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the community hubs would help Queensland’s recalibrated rollout.
“Since the TGA’s advice regarding AstraZeneca, Queensland has had to adapt its approach to the vaccine rollout,” Ms D’Ath said.
“We’re making the vaccine as accessible as possible and maximising our vaccine administration capacity.
“Already, we have stood up Pfizer hubs at hospitals in every HHS across Queensland to provide greater vaccine accessibility.
Mackay small business financial counsellor Kristy Wilson. Picture: Contributed
Business Staff writer
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A small business financial counsellor is urging small and family businesses in Mackay to seek help urgently if they deferred debt during the pandemic.
Financial management expert Kristy Wilson encouraged businesses owners to be on the front foot so they can survive the next 12 months.
The Rural Financial Counselling Service North Queensland is funded through the state and federal governments to provide small business financial counsellors in Mackay, Whitsunday,
Townsville, Cairns and Western Queensland.
They can provide help to small businesses at risk of financial hardship for free.
Here s what a federal health department spokeswoman had to say:
1. How much of a delay is there for Mackay s aged care vaccine rollout? (Question was only answered in part) Scheduling of all residential aged care facilities, including for the Mackay region, is under way to deliver doses as safely and efficiently as possible for residents and staff. The Australian Government will continue to work with the states and territories and ensure the vaccination program is rolled out as safely and efficiently as possible. The Department is working with stakeholders to support facilities in the rollout, including aged care peak bodies and advocacy groups.
Adequate training and a lack of COVID-19 vaccines have been blamed for a delay in delivering the first doses to aged care residents in the Mackay region
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said it was critical any unknown cases were detected “as quickly as possible through our testing system, to contain any potential spread”.
“We are concerned by the new variants that are emerging overseas that are more contagious than previous variants we have seen in Queensland,” Dr Young said. Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young is urging people to get tested if they are unwell. NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi
“It’s also possible that this detection relates to previous COVID-19 cases that can shed viral fragments for a couple of months after they are no longer infectious.