Government announces back-to-school vaccination blitz

Published 2:00pm 28 January 2022

Eight schools across the Moreton Bay Region will become vaccination hubs for children before the school year begins next month.

The Back-to-School vaccination blitz will begin on Saturday, January 29 and run until Sunday, February 6.

Schools have been chosen in areas where vaccination rates for school-aged children are low.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the hubs mean children aged 5 and over can get their vaccination before school starts on February 7.

“With the start of the school year locked in for Monday, February 7 to avoid the peak of the Omicron wave, parents can take advantage of the opportunity to get their kids vaccinated,” the Premier says.

“There is widespread community transmission of the virus reaching all corners of this state.

“Adding a vaccination to the back-to-school list for your child is the best defence.”

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath says the hubs create another opportunity for the community to be vaccinated.

“We have already seen an excellent uptake of the vaccination for our kids aged 5 and over, but with school going back in February we want to see every child have the opportunity to get vaccinated,” she says.

Education Minister Grace Grace has thanked local schools for participating in the vaccination program.

“The opportunity to get your child vaccinated before school is there for the taking,” she says.

“Although recommended if available, there’s no requirement for appointments at our pop-up school clinics.

“Parents and caregivers should check the Queensland Health website for opening days and hours, and age eligibility for each site.”