Experts examine fears and misconceptions fueling slow adoption of COVID-19 vaccine in Queensland

Queensland remains behind in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccination in the country.

Despite an exceptional weekend vaccinations, Queensland remains the slowest of all states and territories to deliver the first doses and it is predicted that Queensland will reach the 80% inoculation mark behind the rest of the country.

The lack of vaccine supply is often blamed, but there is also a percentage of the population – especially in regional and remote areas – who are still worried about getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

But experts have told the ABC there are very few Queenslanders who should worry about receiving the jab.

Here’s why.

Isn’t the risk of transmission low in isolated communities?

That’s a misconception, according to Kirsty Short, a virologist at the University of Queensland.

She said it’s because at some point everyone will be exposed to the coronavirus.

“We’re going to open up our borders and it will spread, and eventually everyone will get COVID,” Dr Short said.

“Our options are: are we going to get COVID as an unexposed and potentially vulnerable population or are we going to get it as a vaccinated population? “

Reluctance in isolated areas is a concern for Central Queensland MP Brittany Lauga.

“Certainly complacency because we haven’t seen COVID in our communities for quite some time,” she said.

Vaccination rates in his electorate of Keppel are lower than the state average – which itself is low.

“In central Queensland we haven’t had a case for over 12 months – we don’t have this direct immediate threat,” Ms Lauga said.

Are the side effects of vaccines more important for young people than the virus?

This is where things get personal for Dr Short, who falls into the young and healthy category.

Although she is not considered high risk if she tests positive for COVID-19, Dr Short chose to get the vaccine after looking for people who had survived the virus.

“Many of them – up to 50% of people in some cases – report persistent symptoms,” she said.

“We’re talking about young, healthy people… who, six or twelve months later, still don’t have the energy to go back to work.”

She said there was also no evidence to suggest there would be any long-term consequences or symptoms from the vaccine.

“In contrast, we know there are long-term consequences of COVID-19.”

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What about people with underlying health problems?

Many people with chronic illnesses were prioritized earlier in the deployment.

Maria Boulton of the Australian Medical Association in Queensland said GPs are the best people to go to for such concerns.

“When you have someone who is immunocompromised, for them it is actually more important to get the vaccine,” said Dr Boulton.

“But if people have specific concerns, their GP can address them with them, keeping in mind that certain medical conditions will increase this vulnerability to COVID.”

What if I have a legitimate fear of needles?

The medical term is trypanophobia, an extreme fear of medical procedures involving injections or hypodermic needles.

Dr Boulton said this phobia causes problems every day in general medicine clinics and is not exclusive to COVID-19 vaccination.

“If someone is afraid of a needle, we will vaccinate them away from the vaccination clinic, we will spend more time with them, we will maybe put them to bed, we will distract them, we will do all we can. to make it a better experience for them, ”she said.

In extreme cases, patients may also be referred to a clinic where they can be sedated.

Dr Short said the COVID-19 vaccination can also be seen as an opportunity for those with an extreme fear of needles to tackle the phobia.

“There are many different therapies and supports in mental health to help people with this phobia,” she said.

Is there a risk that the vaccine will negatively affect children in the future?

Dr Boulton said everyone should be guided by scientific advice, which has endorsed the vaccination of children as young as 12.

Recent cases of COVID-19 in Queensland have included outbreaks in two schools in Brisbane.

“What the Indooroopilly cluster has shown in Brisbane is that children can get COVID and I think if people have specific questions, that’s something they just need to raise with their GP,” Dr Boulton said.

Aren’t there fertility issues for women?

Dr Short is adamant COVID vaccines have given no indication of a negative impact on fertility.

“In fact, during clinical trials a number of women had been vaccinated, got pregnant and had a successful pregnancy,” she said.

Dr Boulton said there had been a lot of misinformation circulating on social media about COVID vaccines and fertility.

“The College of Obstetricians actually looked at this, and there is no data to support this rumor,” she said.

“Pregnancy can increase the severity of some viruses, for example the flu – COVID is the other – so it makes you more vulnerable and more susceptible, so one more reason to discuss vaccination with your GP.”

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