Queensland’s Surf Life Saving clubs open as vaccination clinics this weekend

As a part of the Queensland Government’s campaign to increase vaccination rates, this weekend will see 23 surf lifesaving clubs from Cairns to Coolangatta open up as vaccination clinics.

Surf Life Saving Queensland Chief Executive Dave Whimpey says Surf Life Saving Queensland hopes the addition of these vaccination clinics at their clubs will motivate Queenslanders to come along and get their jab.

Whimpey notes “this is the community’s chance to be a lifesaver this weekend by getting a vaccine.”

Queensland Emergency Services Minister, Mark Ryan, joined Surf Life Saving officials, police and health authorities at Kings Beach, Caloundra, to launch the “Be a lifesaver, get a jab” campaign.

Minister Ryan said with the opening of borders just weeks away time was critical.

“It’s V-day, vaccination day. “It’s just a matter of weeks until the borders open. So, there’s no time to waste.

“This weekend beachgoers have access to vaccination clinics at more than 20 Surf Lifesaving Clubs in locations all the way from Coolangatta to Cairns and beyond to Port Douglas.

“Each participating Surf Club will have qualified vaccination staff on hand to administer the jabs.”

In addition, a plane towing a vaccination message banner will fly over several beaches.

The banner will urge people to “Be a Lifesaver, get a jab”.

Surf Life Saving Queensland General Manager Commercial, Ken Clark advised Surf Life Saving Queensland was committed to providing a safe environment for its  members and beachgoers and as such, strongly recommend all members who are eligible to get vaccinated.

“Surf clubs are community hubs in Queensland and we encourage anyone who is not yet vaccinated, to come down to one of the participating clubs.This weekend is everyone and anyone’s chance to be a lifesaver.”

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Greg Leach said it was great to see the creative collaboration between emergency response agencies to spread the vaccination message.

“Protecting and helping each other is a core value that all emergency responders, including firefighters, SES personnel and surf lifesavers, engender. In fact, it’s a core value for most Queenslanders and we see it come to the fore in every emergency situation we face.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is another emergency situation for all of us and that’s why all of our emergency responder organisations are working creatively together to encourage that great community spirit and ask everyone to get their jab. A COVID-19 vaccination is not only the best way of protecting ourselves in this pandemic, it’s also assisting everyone around us.”

The benefits of getting vaccinated are clear. People who are vaccinated have an 86% less chance of catching the virus and passing it on. People who are vaccinated have a 90% less chance of dying from the effects of the virus.

Clubs which will be taking part as pop-up clinics include:
Port Douglas SLSC (Four Mile Beach)
Cairns SLSC (Palm Cove)
Emu Park SLSC
Broadbeach SLSC
Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park SLSC
Mermaid A.E.M.E. SLSC
Miami Beach SLSC
Southport SLSC
Coolangatta SLSC
Pacific SLSC
Eimeo SLSC
Redcliffe Peninsula SLSC (Suttons Beach)
Coolum Beach SLSC
Metropolitan Caloundra SLSC (Kings Beach)
Marcoola SLSC
Maroochydore SLSC
Mooloolaba SLSC
Mudjimba SLSC
Sunshine Beach SLSC
Arcadian SLSC
Elliott Heads SLSC
Bundaberg SLSC
Hervey Bay SLSC

Vaccination locations | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government