The Townsville Hospital and Health Service kicked off its COVID-19 western vaccination with a three day blitz in Richmond with three days in Hughenden to follow.
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A team of 10 health staff went to Richmond to vaccine as many of the 600 residents as possible before heading to Hughenden.
Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes said the response from the community had been extraordinary.
"I'm pleased to report the team were able to vaccinate 96 people on the first day of our clinic and 99 people on the second day," Mr Keyes said.
"We hope to have most of the community done by today and then the plan is to go back in about three months and deliver the second dose of the vaccine.
"A final schedule for our rural visits is still being developed but it is exciting to get a start."
Richmond Shire Council Mayor John Wharton was among those in Richmond to receive his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Cr Wharton said the feeling among the community was one of relief.
"The spotlight has been very firmly fixed on cases in the big cities during this pandemic but our town, and many like ours, has been going through this as well," Cr Wharton said.
"Having the clinic open at the hospital was just so great to see and it really felt like a turning point in the fight against this nasty virus.
"I look forward to seeing the team in three months for our second jab."
Mr Keyes urged people in rural and regional areas to keep an eye out for when Townsville Hospital and Health Service were doing a vaccination visit to their communities.
"The vaccine is free, and it is fast - we get you in and out in about 25 minutes but please ensure you book an appointment and don't just show up.
"Every person who gets their vaccine will get a card saying when they got their first dose which will help people track when their second dose is due."
The vaccination is now in Hughenden from 7 to 9 April. Bookings can be made by calling the local hospital.
Flinders Shire Mayor Jane McNamara said she received her first AstroZeneca dose on Wednesday and the HHS hoped to get 400 people over the age of 18 done in the three days they were in town with a booster shot due in late June.
"I'm very happy, we are on a major highway and we have travellers and contractors coming through and you don't know whether they may have it and are asymptomatic," Cr McNamara said.
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