CWQ COVID vaccinations expected to start next week, in Aramac

Subject to the arrival of vaccine stocks, the jabs will begin being administered to both medical staff and community residents above the age of 18 next Monday, March 15.

The towns in the Barcaldine Regional Council - Muttaburra, Jericho and Barcaldine as well as Aramac - have been chosen as the first locations to begin the big job of vaccinating a spread-out population for no other reason than they're in the most easterly local government area in the health region.

Central West Hospital and Health Service chief executive Jane Hancock said the trained immunisation teams would then be working westward.

Unlike in Queensland's larger centres, a phased approach to giving the vaccines was not considered for rural areas, as it was considered too inefficient to offer the jab to just a few in each community and then return to treat the rest a week or so later.

Related reading: 'Commonsense vaccine plan will include remote' - rural doctors

The COVID-19 vaccine, likely to be the AstraZeneca one in the early stages, is free for all 18 years and older who are eligible, which includes all residents, visitors, visa holders, FIFO workers and health staff, and is being rolled out by Queensland Health.

The vaccination program for people in aged care will be managed separately under the auspices of the federal government.

Following Monday's clinic in Aramac, the team will be rolling on to Muttaburra the following day, March 16.

According to a Health Department spokesman, the whole program has not yet been finalised but the public will be advised as dates are locked in.

"Immunisation teams will visit all central west communities in a scheduled rotation to deliver the two doses required, and all communities in the region will have access to the vaccine," Ms Hancock said. "We will keep all our communities informed about vaccination clinic locations and times."

When people receive their first jab they'll be advised of the date on which to attend to receive the necessary follow-up dose.

It's understood that if people are unable to attend the clinic in their town the first time round, they can either attend a clinic in another town or wait for Central West Health to roll out a catch-up clinic, but those details are still being finalised as well.

One of the first people to be vaccinated will be new nurse graduate Kate Whelan, who started her nursing career at Barcaldine Multipurpose Health Service just last month and who will be accompanying the vaccination team to Aramac.

"It's been a year of firsts for me here in Barcaldine so far. My first appointment in my new career and now being one of the first in our region to be vaccinated,'' Ms Whelan said.

"It's very exciting to be a part of Queensland's largest ever coordinated vaccination effort.

"Being vaccinated is one of the easiest things we can all do to keep our communities and loved ones safe and I urge everyone to do so."

According to Ms Hancock, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended and encouraged.

"The vaccine will be delivered by trained immunisation teams to each unique community in an outreach model," she said.

"This is a momentous occasion for Central West Health and for our communities.

"Our vaccine journey is just beginning but when we are all in this together, we can reach our destination much faster.''

People are advised to call the primary health centre in their town to book an appointment time, and to arrive 15 minutes before their allocated time.

They will also be required to stay for 15 to 30 minutes post-vaccination for observation.

More information on the vaccine is available online.

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