COVID task force leader John Frewen warns of vaccine complacency in Queensland

Vaccine complacency in Queensland and other states that have not been hit hard by COVID-19 lockdowns is a major concern for Australia’s vaccine deployment leader as the State records low participation rates in some rural and regional areas.

COVID task force commander Lt. Gen. John Frewen told ABC Radio Brisbane on Wednesday that Queensland’s predominantly delta-free status was a “golden opportunity” for people to step up and get vaccinated against the virus.

“We are at an inflection point in the deployment campaign, where we are moving from a supply-based system to a demand-based system,” General Frewen said.

However, he warned the window was limited as other states moved to open up and live with Delta, as pressure on Queensland to open its borders would likely increase.

His comments come as Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Wednesday there was “no excuse” for not getting the vaccine with more walk-in appointments available.

Queensland’s chief public health officer Jeannette Young will also be traveling to central Queensland to work on increasing vaccination rates.

Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said she wanted to see higher vaccination rates in Ipswich, Logan and Beaudesert and the Sunshine Coast, as the Brisbane local government area tipped over 70% of those vaccinated with the first dose.

“The Minister of Health and Dr Young will travel to central Queensland, Mackay and Rockhampton to urge these communities to increase their vaccination rates,” she said.

“We need this to be a big effort from Queensland.

From Tuesday, according to federal figures, Queensland had almost reached 50 percent of its eligible double-dose vaccine population, the lowest rate nationally with less than percent between Queensland and Western Australia.

NSW and ACT have the nationally highest rates of double-dose eligible populations, reaching 70% in New South Wales today.

General Frewen said that while reluctance to be vaccinated was a concern, he was encouraged that 90% of people indicated that they intended to be vaccinated.

“Significant” problem of convenience

However, he said complacency was a concern, with Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland particularly lagging behind.

“Complacency is a very big problem, especially in states where there have just been no significant outbreaks,” he said.

Queensland health officials have pleaded with people to get vaccinated as quickly as possible, offering walk-in appointments for vaccines at many state-run centers in recent weeks.

The state government sent mass text messages to people in Queensland on Tuesday urging them to get vaccinated.

Nationally, Australia has achieved 80% of the first vaccinated dose and almost 60% of the double dose.

But the ABC revealed on Tuesday that the Queensland regional region had particularly low vaccination rates, including the Far North where only 32.5% of the 26,319 residents were fully vaccinated.

The northern Bowen Basin and central Queensland have also reported low double-dose rates, while even in southeast Queensland, in the Browns Plains, only 35.4% of the population is fully vaccinated.

Specific target groups

General Frewen said that with supply chain issues now resolved, the focus should be on targeting people who are delaying their vaccine or still hesitant.

“We’re really going to have to focus on specific groups and try to understand exactly why they’re hesitant, why they’re complacent and what might move them the best,” General Frewen said.

“These things will never be one size fits all.”

Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca are now available free of charge at more than 10,000 general medicine clinics, state centers and pharmacies nationwide, and with no restrictions for those over 12, General Frewen said the time had come for people to get their jab.

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