RURAL and remote Queenslanders have been told to get vaccinated in readiness for an increase in Covid-19 outbreaks.
Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland) chief executive officer Meredith Staib said it was inevitable some rural and remote communities would be impacted by Covid-19 after Queensland's borders were reopened.
That is expected to happen on December 17, when 80 per cent of the state is set to be fully vaccinated.
At that time, fully vaccinated people will be able to enter Queensland by car or plane. Those travellers will no longer be subject to quarantine, but will be required to have a negative Covid test within the previous 72 hours.
"Our concern for poorly vaccinated regions is that local healthcare services will be greatly impacted," Ms Staib said.
"We are definitely anticipating an increase in aeromedical retrieval in response to Covid-19 and are preparing accordingly."
The urging to get vaccinated comes follows latest developments relating to the new strain of Covid-19 and a surge in cases in rural NSW.
"Vaccination remains the key measure to protect us all from severe illness due to Covid-19 and to prevent our healthcare system from becoming further impacted," Ms Staib said.
"So now, we need Queenslanders to help each other by getting vaccinated."
We need Queenslanders to help each other by getting vaccinated.
- Meredith Staib, RFDS Qld
RFDS Queensland's primary health care staff have delivered the Covid-19 vaccine to more than 9800 people in rural and remote areas.
"As a trusted provider of primary health care services, our crews from Charleville, Cairns and Mount Isa are well positioned to administer both first and second doses, with planning underway for the delivery of the booster dose also," Ms Staib said.
"The existing relationships and trust developed between community members and our crew, via the primary health care clinics, has greatly assisted in the uptake of the vaccine. Rural and remote Queenslanders have been grateful that we can bring the vaccine to them."
Western Queensland Primary Health Network chief executive officer Sandy Gillies said vaccination was key to ensuring the impact of COVID-19 was less acute than what had been witnessed in other parts of the country.
"Covid in a community doesn't mean that all those other things that are already pressuring the system...they don't stop. They continue,," Ms Gillies said.
"So I think it's really important to just be aware that the system is going to be stretched from all parts."
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