Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Health Minister Yvette D'Ath today visited the Gold Coast to see the first Queenslander to receive her COVID-19 vaccine get the crucial second booster dose.
Gold Coast University Hospital Registered Nurse Zoe Park was today (16 March 2021) administered her booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine, three weeks after her initial jab.
The Premier said the rollout of the second booster doses 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 more people we can get fully vaccinated, the safer all Queenslanders will be.
"Our priority is to get our frontline workers vaccinated ahead of the rollout to the general population.
"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."
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said more than 6,300 people had already been vaccinated at the Gold Coast University Hospital vaccination hub.
"The Gold Coast made history by becoming Queensland's first vaccination hub and it's great to see Zoe get her second dose today," she said.
"As we ramp up our vaccine rollout our other priority groups, including older Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, will be prioritised for vaccination.
"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.
"Knowing that we are safe and able to keep our families and friends safe after such a difficult and uncertain year is a wonderful feeling. It has been a boost for all of us."
