Stepping up so others can step out
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys players will take the field this weekend in specially designed socks to encourage Indigenous Queenslanders to ‘Step up for the Jab’.
COVID-19 vaccination rates of Indigenous Queenslanders have fallen below half that of non-Indigenous Queenslanders, prompting Deadly Choices to partner with the Cowboys to motivate eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from COVID-19.
All Indigenous people over the age of 12 are eligible to receive the jab which is available through local community-controlled health services.
Deadly Choices ambassador and rugby league legend Steve Renouf said everyone has a different driver for getting vaccinated.
BOOK YOUR JAB: isteppedup.com.au
“For some, the hope to make plans for the future is motivation to step up and for others it is to protect our elderly people and other members of our community who may be vulnerable,” he said.
“We all know the importance of looking after our people, it’s the reason we are the oldest continuous culture… and now the Delta strain has arrived in our community this is not the time to muck around.
“We want all of our mob to come out and step up for the jab.”
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
Respected members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community have come together for the ‘I Stepped Up’ campaign to highlight the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
‘I Stepped Up’ is run by the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health along with four founding Community Controlled Health Services with an aim to empower Indigenous people aged 12 and over to get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves, their family and their community.
The Cowboys will wear special one-off socks during the Round 25 match at Queensland Country Bank Stadium against the Manly Sea Eagles, featuring an Indigenous design and the campaign slogan, ‘Step up for the Jab’.
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys young gun Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is encouraging everyone to consider getting the vaccine.
“None of us can do this alone,” he said.
“I’ll get vaccinated for my family so we can all get back to doing what we love.”
HOW TO BOOK YOUR FREE VACCINATION
To book your appointment, head to isteppedup.com.au or visit your local Community Controlled Health Service.
