Qld hits 90pct, over 70s slow on boosters

Marty Silk | February 8, 2022

Queensland authorities are concerned over 70s aren’t getting COVID-19 booster vaccines ahead of an unpredictable winter as the state hits 90 per cent double-vaccinated.

Another 12 people died of the virus and 5178 new cases emerged after 11,870 tests in Queensland the 24 hours to 6.30am on Tuesday.

There are still 705 patients in hospitals and another 45 people in intensive care, but the COVID-19 outbreak peaked last Friday.

More than 90 per cent of people have had two doses of a vaccine and 58.51 per cent have had a booster.

Chief Health Officer John Gerrard says high vaccination and natural immunity makes it hard to predict if there will be a winter virus wave.

“The reality is we don’t know, so this is the big mystery, and we’re all waiting to see what will happen,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“Clearly, there has been a substantial wall of immunity that has developed in the community through a combination of vaccinations boosters and natural infections, and particularly natural infection in that super spreading group of people in their 20s, and I’m sure that will create a significant protection going into winter.

“So whether there will be a substantial secondary wave in winter or not is unclear.”

Of those who died of COVID-19 in the latest reporting period, one was in their 30s, two in their 60s, two in their 70s, three in their 80s and four in their 90s.

Nine of the 12 were in aged care, three were unvaccinated and none had had a booster.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said fewer than 16 of the 160 people who have recently died in aged care had received their third jab.

She said the proportion of eligible Queenslanders aged over 70 who had a boost is below the state average.

“We’ve said from day one that this is a virus that does particularly attack the elderly, and it (not having a booster) significantly increases the risk factor,” she said.

“I don’t know the reason why people haven’t come out now in the older age group (for boosters), but I’m still optimistic that they will continue to do so.

“I strongly encourage family members to talk to their parents and grandparents and encourage them (to get their booster).”

Double vaccination coverage among children aged 12-15 has hit 68.93 per cent, but for five-11-year-olds its at 0.20 per cent.

The minister said 303 children aged five-17 had returned positive PCR test after the first day of the school year on Monday.

Eleven children are being treated in hospital for the virus, but the minister said data shows cases and hospitalisations have fallen among children.

“It is promising to see that we’ve had those children already going through a bit of a peak themselves prior to school coming back, and we’re pleased to see those numbers,” Ms D’Ath said.

Hitting the 90 per cent target hasn’t triggered any wind back of state restrictions such as isolation of the sick, quarantining of close contacts, and mandatory face masks indoors and vaccination in venues.

Dr Gerrard said a possible horizon for the vaccine mandates was not being considered.

“Not until we’re very clear where this epidemic is going because we don’t yet know where this epidemic is going,” he added.