11 August 2021

Dear colleagues,

Today Queensland recorded four more cases of COVID-19 all linked to the Indooroopilly cluster bringing the total number of cases from this group to 120. Here are today’s updates.

ATAGI advice on Pfizer vaccine for children

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has reviewed the data of the safety of this vaccine in children and now recommends the following groups of children aged 12-15 years be prioritised for vaccination using the Pfizer vaccine:

• Children with specified medical conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19 (including severe asthma, diabetes, obesity, cardiac and circulatory congenital anomalies, neuro developmental disorders, epilepsy, immuno-compromised and trisomy).
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 12-15 years.
• All children aged 12-15 in remote communities, as part of broader community outreach vaccination programs that provide vaccines for all ages (≥12 years).

Staff with children in this age group are encouraged to visit the Department of Health’s website for more information.

Advice for those aged between 16 to 39 years old to receive the Pfizer vaccine is unchanged. If you are within this age group, you will receive the Pfizer vaccine in line with ATAGI’s advice.

New mass vaccination centre

Today the new mass vaccination hub opened at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The hub will focus on administering 3,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines every day and is by appointment only. If you or someone you know is yet to receive the vaccine and is eligible, please register via the Queensland Health website so that an appointment can be offered.

🗓️ Open seven days a week

⏰ Open from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm

🚗 Free parking at BCEC when there for vaccination

🚶 No walk ins, by appointment only

Contact tracing

The Queensland Health contact tracing website is constantly being update, staff are reminded to check the website at least twice a day.

Thank you for your work over the past week and it’s lovely to see everyone back on-site as work from home arrangements lifted.

Metro North remains on Tier 1 in our COVID response plan and moderate risk PPE, with fever clinic staff and emergency department triage staff wearing P2/N95 masks.

Regards,

Louise O’Riordan 
Metro North Incident Controller

Metro North HHS – overview of cases*

*As at 11/08/2021 at 1000
**Metro North Health has four recorded deaths (one person a return traveller into NSW, who passed away in NSW)
*** These numbers reflect the cases being managed by Metro North Health.