By April Murphy
Today, at the Gold Coast Hospital, the first Queenslander received the second crucial booster of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Registered Nurse Zoe Park was administered her first shot of the Pfizer immunisation three weeks ago. The effectiveness of the vaccine relies heavily on the second dose.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Health Minister Yvette D’Ath visited the hospital today and were witness to Ms Parks receiving the second dose of Pfizer.
The Premier said the second booster doses rollout was another important milestone in the state’s fight against the virus.
“So far, more than 21,000 Queenslanders have received a vaccine dose, with some now being fully vaccinated with their second shot,” the Premier said.
The Premier reassured residents that the more people we can get vaccinated, the safer Queensland will be.
“Zoe has set a great example by becoming one of the first Queenslanders to be fully vaccinated – and I hope that when other Queenslanders have their turn to get the vaccine, they also roll up their sleeves,” says the Premier.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said more than 6,300 people had already been vaccinated at the Gold Coast University Hospital vaccination hub.
“Queensland relies on the federal government for its vaccine supply, and we’re calling on the Commonwealth to ensure there are enough doses available to protect Queenslanders’ health.”
Zoe is among the cohort of frontline workers who are now able to receive their booster doses after waiting the minimum 21-day period from receiving the initial dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
“It feels great to receive the second dose of the vaccine today and know that I am another step closer to being protected from getting really sick from COVID’,” Zoe said.
“Being the first person in Queensland to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was an absolute privilege, but it’s been even better to see my colleagues receiving their vaccines over the past few weeks,” says Ms Parks
As we ramp up our vaccine and rollout, the Health Minister has said that our other priority groups, including older Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, will be prioritised for vaccination.