Time is Running Out to Get Fully Vaccinated

Mayor Slade vaccinated
Mayor Danielle Slade is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and is urging Mount Isa residents to get their jab before Queensland’s borders reopen to southern states.

Published: 20th October 2021

Mayor Danielle Slade wants to get the message out to Mount Isa residents who have yet to get their COVID vaccine that time is running out to get a jab before Queensland’s borders reopen to southern states.

“You only have two weeks left until you miss the window of opportunity to be fully vaccinated by the time the borders reopen on December 17,” Cr Slade said.

On December 17, 2021 – which is when it’s expected 80% of Queenslanders will be fully vaccinated – there will be no restrictions on entry to Queensland, and no quarantine required for people who are arriving from anywhere in Australia, provided they are not travelling from a declared COVID hotspot and are fully vaccinated.

“What this means is, if you are not already fully vaccinated by that deadline, you are putting yourself, your friends, your family, and your whole community at risk, should COVID come to Mount Isa and become established here,” Cr Slade said.

“As Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young, has said – it’s coming to Queensland and we can’t stop it. It’s now up to you to get vaccinated, and you’re fast running out of time.

“Now is the time to get ready, and the only way you can get ready is to get vaccinated.

“Vaccinated people are less likely to catch and spread the virus, but if they do get COVID, they are protecting themselves against severe illness and death.

“Mount Isa has a significant portion of the population who are vulnerable and elderly.

“We don’t want our hospital and health system to struggle under the weight of a large outbreak of cases, and we don’t want our businesses to suffer even more due to the city being forced to go into snap lockdowns.”

Cr Slade said it’s now time for Mount Isa residents to stand up and show the rest of the state how committed we are to protecting each other.

“Losing members of our community to COVID is just not an option. I know some people are afraid, but this is the only option we have for us all to survive this.

“I want everyone to have a happy and safe Christmas and New Year and spend it with family and friends, but this will only happen if we’re all fully vaccinated.”

The Mount Isa COVID-19 Vaccination Hub is operating out of the Mount Isa Civic Centre on West Street and is open six days a week – Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 9am to 4pm; Wednesdays from 11am to 4pm; Thursdays from 1.30pm to 8pm; and Saturdays from 9am to 2pm. Vaccinations are also available from local pharmacies and medical centres, and Gidgee Healing’s Pioneer Clinic on Marian Street.