Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart and Noosa Today are urging Noosa residents to get vaccinated.
The call comes as council and Noosa Today join forces to launch a community campaign, “We’re vaccinated, are you“ to encourage as many locals as possible to book a COVID vaccination.
Across the community from sporting legends to emergency services officers, business leaders and politicians are stepping up to get the jab and are encouraging others to do the same and sharing their experience in our newspaper and on social media.
Local heroes including Noosa Today associate editor Phil Jarratt and Mayor Clare Stewart have stepped up to be vaccinated.
Mayor Stewart said our best defence against the virus was for people to get vaccinated.
“Getting vaccinated is our way out of Covid and protects our loved ones, community and businesses,” she said.
“If we want to return to ’normal’, a large percentage of our population is required to be vaccinated, so I call on everyone to join me in the fight to get our community back on its feet.”
Businessman Ralph Rogers said while for some it’s a challenge to accept our only way out is vaccination, history has proven this point.
“Smallpox, polio, diphtheria, to name a few, were killers until vaccination was discovered,“ he said.
“A lot has been said about the two choices of vaccine we have. Both, on very rare occasions, have had a side effect. A medical professional recently showed me statistics that prove women have a greater chance from blood clots from taking the contraceptive pill than from AstraZeneca.
“Pfizer, in very rare cases, has been linked to heart inflammation. Both these side effects are extremely rare. Catching Covid is not a maybe, it’s guaranteed and it’s never going away. Just like the flu, all we can do is manage it.
“I was thrilled for my wife, my 94-year-old dad and myself to get both the first and second jab of AstraZeneca.
“First jab, we all had a pretty rubbish day for 24 hours, second jab, absolutely nothing.
“We have been lucky in Noosa but our luck will run out. We are a tourist town and sooner or later the borders will open internationally. We need to be ready. For the sake of our businesses (many of whom are independent operators with everything mortgaged to fund their business), for the sake of your neighbours, your family, your friends – let’s just get this done.
“I know within our community there are those who think vaccination is not the answer – and I respect their personal choices – but with the evidence worldwide and historically, I don’t think there is any choice. Personally I am relieved that my family has the best protection possible.“
This year 175 people infected with the Covid-19 virus have been admitted to ICU. Of those, 168 had not been vaccinated and the remaining seven had received only one dose of the vaccine. No one fully vaccinated has been in ICU.
Cr Stewart hoped putting community faces to our vaccination campaign would be a catalyst to increasing local vaccination rates.
“With more cases of the Delta variant emerging, we need to guard against complacency and we’re relying on everyone doing their bit,”
The We’re vaccinated – Are you? Campaign features Olympic legend Dawn Fraser, Noosa businessman Ralph Rogers, Noosa Police Senior Sergeant Ben Carroll, QFES Station Officer Rob Frey, Barb Sheriff from Tewantin Traders Association and many more.
Mayor Stewart received her first vaccination at Sunny Street vaccination hub this week.
“The staff at Sunny Street are doing a wonderful job and are really helpful in providing as much information about the vaccine,” she said.
Noosa Council Community Services director Kerri Contini thanked the local legends for putting their faces to such an important message.
“This wouldn’t be possible without the support of those who agreed to be part of it,” she said.
“There is some hesitancy in the community about vaccinations, so we just hope this community-inspired campaign will motivate residents to make a booking and regain control over the COVID-19 situation,” Ms Contini said.
Ms Contini said council continued to provide support to government agencies and community organisations to increase vaccination rates across the shire.
“We simply want to create a movement towards vaccination,” Ms Contini said.
