Jeremy Rockliff,Minister for Health
Tasmania has today passed a major milestone in its COVID-19 vaccination rollout, with 70 per cent of people aged 16 years or older now fully vaccinated.
More than 85 per cent of people aged 16 years or older have received at least one dose of the vaccine, which means we are tracking well to hit 90 per cent fully vaccinated by the start of December.
Today's milestone is the first step in the national roadmap and I'd like to thank the Tasmanians who have rolled up their sleeves for helping us reach this fantastic milestone. A big thank you also to the many nurses, pharmacists, public health specialists, doctors, administration staff, and all other health staff who have tirelessly helped us to achieve these great vaccination statistics.
Pleasingly we are starting to see strong vaccination coverage in all age groups and in all parts of the state.
However, vaccination rates are still slightly lower in the North-West than the state average so I would especially encourage everyone across the Coast not to wait any longer to book in their vaccination.
State-run Pfizer clinics will be running across the North-West over the next two weeks, and the vaccination bus will be touring throughout the region.
I'd particularly like to highlight a pop-up clinic opening tomorrow for two days at the Smithton RSL, which will be able to vaccination hundreds of locals.
Elsewhere in the North-West, community clinics are running at:
- Wynyard Railway Hall – 28 – 29 October
- Latrobe Speedway and Function Centre – 28 October
- Burnie Arts and Function Centre – 25 – 27 October, 1 – 3 November
- Ulverstone Rowing Club – 26 – 27 October
- Devonport Surf Life Saving Club – 22, 24, 27 – 29 October, 3-5 November
Anyone aged 12 or over can walk-in and get vaccinated without an appointment across the state, but bookings are encouraged to avoid waiting.
To book an appointment, call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738, or book online at www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/bookings.
The COVID-19 vaccination bus – run in partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service – is also touring the area over the next few weeks.
The bus will be in Tullah and Waratah over the next two days, before heading to Mole Creek, Edith Creek, Irishtown, Sassafras, Redpa and Railton next week.
Tomorrow, the bus will be parked at Farrell Street Council Carpark in Tullah from 10am to 5pm, and on Friday it will be at the Waratah Road House at 11 Smith Street from 10.30am to 3.30pm.
Appointments are not required for the bus – just turn up and get vaccinated.
Vaccination is our greatest defence against COVID-19 and is the best way of protecting yourself, your family, friends, and others in the community.
The message is clear: Don't wait, vaccinate.
