VOICES from across the Shire have come together to encourage us all to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our community – and vaccinate against COVID-19.
The new round of short videos has been released in Douglas and feature a raft of personalities from across the Shire with a compelling collective voice, and a clear message – get the jab.
It comes as Douglas Shire’s double-dose vaccination rate edges above 59%, with a walk-in vaccination clinic operating at the Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club this weekend.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr, who is the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) Chairman, is hoping the videos will provide a nudge to those that haven’t gotten around to it yet.
“We haven’t experienced the sense of urgency that our friends in the southern states have encountered because we haven’t experienced community transmission of the virus in Douglas,” he said.
“COVID-19 will circulate in the Douglas community – sooner or later it will come here.”
“As a thriving tourist destination, it’s imperative our community reaches at least the 80% double vaccination rate before December 17, when the state borders are planned to re-open.
“We will all come into contact with the virus – this is something we must be realistic about. When Douglas gets to the 80% vaccination rate, we are going to be much better able to manage – it will significantly reduce the chances of people becoming gravely ill, and it will significantly reduce the pressure on our health system.”
“If you haven’t got around to it yet, please get on board, get the jab, and be proud of your contribution to keeping your community safe.”
LiveLife Pharmacy Co-Director, Brett Reilly, one of the voices in the videos, encourages us to take note of the lead time to becoming fully vaccinated.
“The time to do it is right now. It takes at least 6 weeks from your first vaccination to be fully covered,” he said.
“With the Moderna vaccination for instance, there are two vaccine doses required four weeks apart, and then an additional two-week period before you reach maximum protection.”
LiveLife Pharmacy has five outlets across the Shire offering walk-in vaccinations.
Vaccinations are also readily available at medical centres throughout the Shire, Mossman District Hospital, and vaccination pop- clinics.
The social media videos have been created in a partnership between Douglas Shire Council and Tourism Port Douglas Daintree along with a suite of assets that can be used by organisations, businesses and individuals across the Shire.
Tourism Port Douglas Daintree Chief Executive Officer Tara Bennett encourages everyone to get behind the voices in the videos.
“We’re looking forward to seeing borders open and businesses thrive again, but there’s a real risk to business continuity if the vaccine rates aren’t high enough,” she said.
“Lockdowns will be catastrophic for businesses in Douglas, and we’ve all got a part to play in minimising that risk.
“We encourage everyone to access these resources and use them across your local social media channels and onsite marketing. There’s ready-made Facebook and Instagram tiles as well as posters that can be printed out, or collected from Council offices in Mossman. Please help us spread the word, create the all-important sense of urgency – let’s all do our bit to get Douglas ready, and keep Douglas safe and open.”
Click here to access and download the suite of resources.
Surfs Up! Be A Lifesaver, Get the Jab
- Saturday 30 October & Sunday 31 October
- Walk-in vaccination clinic at Port Douglas Surf Lifesaving Club, Four Mile Beach.
- 10am to 2pm.
- Pfizer vaccines for people aged 12 years and older.
