COVID-19 vaccine rollout
The Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service COVID-19 vaccination rollout began in March 2021 in the Torres Strait, due to the risk of COVID–19 spreading from Papua New Guinea.
In April 2021 the rollout paused following changes to the national guidelines for the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine, before resuming in May with the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccination teams have visited every community in the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service region at least twice, with additional walk-in clinics and pop-up clinics regularly scheduled to ensure vaccination rates continue to grow in our communities.
The vaccine is free, voluntary and is our best defence against COVID-19.
Two vaccine doses—plus a booster dose when you are eligible—are recommended for maximum protection.
Schedule of vaccination clinics
The Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service COVID–19 vaccination program restarted on 17 May 2021.
Book my COVID-19 vaccination
There are three ways to book your COVID-19 vaccine, you can:
- book at your local health facility
- call (07) 3497 3442
- simply walk in!
Missed us while we were in your community? Register for a catch-up clinic and complete the vaccination catch-up clinic registration form (Torres and Cape HHS)
You can also :
- Use the eligibility checker for an AstraZeneca vaccine provider near you (not available if you have already had one Pfizer dose).
- Contact your local healthcare facility and ask to register for a COVID-19 vaccine catch-up clinic.
Vaccination progress in our communities
These charts highlight the progress of the Torres and Cape HHS COVID-19 vaccination rollout in every community within our three regions: Torres Strait, Cape York and Northern Peninsula Area.
Please note:
- As of 18/10/21 doses are listed against patients’ home suburb, resulting in small variations from previous data snapshots.
- Data includes doses administered by TCHHS only and not those administered by other providers or health services.
- Population data is derived from Torres and Cape HHS patient populations and may differ from other publicly available population data.
To increase the size of the chart please click on the images below.
Cape York
Northern Peninsula Area
Torres Strait Islands
Who can get the vaccine?
Everyone in our communities who is 12 years and over can have the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 Pfizer booster doses are available to people aged 18+ in our communities who had a COVID-19 vaccine dose at least 5 months (21 weeks) ago. All booster doses will be the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine – even for those who received the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Pregnant women are recommended to receive a COVD-19 vaccination as soon as possible, at any stage in their pregnancy, due to the increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and adverse outcomes during pregnancy.
If you have already had your first AstraZeneca vaccine dose with no serious side effects, you can get your second dose.
Get proof of my COVID-19 vaccination
- Your immunisation history statement or COVID-19 digital certificate are proof of COVID-19 vaccinations.
- It can take up to 10 days after your COVID-19 vaccination for it to appear on the register.
- There are a number of online and offline ways you can get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination.
- Medicare online account through myGov
- Express Plus Medicare mobile app
- If you cannot get proof online, you can:
- request a printed immunisation history statement at your local health facility
- call the Australian Immunisation Register and ask for your statement to be sent you. It can take up to 14 days to arrive in the post.
- Once you’ve had all your required doses, you can add your COVID-19 digital certificate to your digital wallet. You can also add your digital certificate to a state or territory check in app.
Who can I ask for more details about the vaccine?
Please contact your local healthcare facility or GP to discuss your personal situation regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
You can visit COVID-19 vaccine | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au) or read the latest announcements about COVID-19 and up-to-date advice from the Australian Government.
Latest news about the vaccination rollout within our region
Read more news articles about Torres and Cape HHS by visiting News and media web page.
