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In a Queensland first, James Cook University (JCU) medical students will begin administering COVID-19 vaccinations at the Smithfield Campus clinic from this weekend, to help ensure 80 per cent of people are vaccinated by November.
That’s the target set by Queensland Health for the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) region.
Around 95,000 people – or 47 per cent of eligible people - have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Of those, 62,000 residents are fully vaccinated, or just over 30 per cent of those eligible.
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CHHHS Program Director for COVID-19 vaccines, Kelly Pollock, said 60 medical students in their sixth year at JCU are joining the jab workforce.
“Our target is to have 80 per cent of our population vaccinated by November,” she said.
“We welcome the students.
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“By bringing these students in, we can also send some of our nursing staff back to the hospital.”
Among the students administering vaccines is Jason Nguyen.
“Finally being at a point where we can get back to our community is pretty exciting,” he said.
“I hope to play a direct part in keeping FNQ safe.”
Professor Ian Wright, Head of the Clinical School at JCU’s College of Medicine and Dentistry, said the students are well suited to the role, having already performed injections as part of work placements.
They have also been trained specifically for the COVID-19 rollout.
“Having an opportunity to participate in the pandemic response will be something that they learn from and remember for the rest of their training,” he said.
The initiative is the brainchild of CHHHS Senior Medical Administration Registrar Dr Lachlan Gordon.
He’s now planning for an expansion to other universities and to also include students in nursing, dentistry, paramedicine and pharmacy.
How does Cairns compare?
People aged 16 and over who are fully vaccinated (per eligible capita):
Tasmania | 33.8%
Australian Capital Territory | 32.2%
Northern Territory | 31.2%
Cairns | 30.5%
New South Wales | 28.5%
Victoria | 27.3%
South Australia | 27%
Queensland | 25.7%
Western Australia | 24.4%
Main points
- 95,000 people in the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service region have received at least one dose
- 62,000 people are fully vaccinated
- The target of an 80% vaccination rate by November has been set
