MP and expert talk Covid

Noosa MP Sandy Bolton speaks with Dr Ian Norton about Covid.

To avoid possible long Covid vaccination queues and supply shortages resulting from recent border opening announcements Noosa MP Sandy Bolton has a very clear message for residents.

“If you are vaccinating, now is the time. With the current options available, I have concerns that between the closure of some clinics such as Nambour Hospital and a rush in the lead up to Christmas, those in our community that have been delaying may be confronted with excessive queues, supply shortages or not being able to get an appointment in time to meet any travel requirements that may be confirmed” she said.

Those who have been hesitant to vaccinate can have all their questions answered by viewing conversations between Ms Bolton and Dr Ian Norton, a specialist emergency physician and founder and managing director of health crisis management company Respond Global or check out Noosa Frequently Asked Questions (NFAQs) on her Noosa 360 website. Dr Norton was previously the head of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Emergency Medical Team initiative and has been on the frontline of previous outbreaks including Ebola in Africa. Dr Ian has a wealth of experience coordinating responses to global disease outbreaks and is very much an expert on ‘bugs’.

“Dr Ian has been with us on this journey since the start. Not only in deciphering the requirements for Noosa businesses into practical ways of being COVID safe, but also demystifying confusing directives, and providing the simple facts about this virus,” Ms Bolton said.Noosa may be in the top five in vaccination rates across Queensland but some residents still have questions remaining, so Ms Bolton and Dr Ian have covered a variety of topics, including the misinformation being shared online, how mRNA vaccines work, why certain restrictions are still being used in countries with high vaccination rates and how herd immunity is achieved.

“These conversations with Dr Ian will be shared online so that residents can access whenever they like to make informed decisions around how to stay safe in the coming weeks as we transition into opening up,” she said.

“Announcements often come without warning. To avoid issues in the coming weeks, including the thousands of holiday visitors that may add to vaccination queues, book your appointment without further delay.”

You will be able to find the video interview with Dr Ian Norton on both the Sandy Bolton MP Facebook page or by visiting Noosa 360 at www.sandybolton.com/noosa360/ and view NFAQs at www.sandybolton.com/covid-update-september-2021/