A doctor has blamed hesitancy in rural areas of Queensland for the state's low vaccination rates- as a weekend jab blitz was launched.
Dr Chris Perry from the Australian Medical Association (AMA) said that the state's dwindling vaccine rates are in part due to rural areas being hesitant, as residents lives there have remained largely unchanged.
"You've got to realise that rural Queensland, they've had no COVID. They don't wear masks. Life is normal. And they're not really keen to get the vaccine," he told Today.
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"Nothing like an outbreak to encourage people to get something done."
Dr Perry said that amid scepticism on reaching the vaccine target on time, he believes the state will pull through.
"It's looking pretty good," he said.
"I think the government is just going to go ahead and open anyway.
"People have had lots of chances to get their vaccinations. We have a sea of vaccine, there's plenty of places to get it. If people don't have their vaccines, well, sorry, you could be in trouble."
Health authorities in Queensland are ramping up the state's vaccine effort this weekend.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said yesterday the local government areas of Logan, Marsden and Crestmead, south of Brisbane, in particular need to lift their vaccination rates.
"I want to talk in a moment about the low vaccination rates," she said.
https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1451654907748970499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"You would have seen me travelling across regional Queensland, but I am concerned about Logan. We really need to push up the vaccination rates.
"Marsden, Crestmead – your vaccination rates are not where we want them to be. Only 54.7 per cent have had one dose and 36.1 per cent have had two.
"That's trailing the state average of 73.66 per cent. If you live in that area, your community is exposed. Please get vaccinated now – it's urgent."
In response, a 'Super Saturday' vaccine blitz has been launched across the state today, with more than 100 schools turned into clinics.
Ms Palaszczuk urged residents to come forward, saying that bookings are not necessary.
She has warned people they only have nine days left to be fully vaccinated for "when Delta arrives."
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Authorities are still working to track the movements of a Gold Coast man who tested positive to the virus earlier in the week, but has become so unwell he is unable to speak to contact tracers.
Queens Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young said yesterday the man will be moved into the intensive care unit.
However they said he had not left his house much as he had been so sick.
