Joanna Dorante is a Thursday Island local, health worker in training, and the Tackling Indigenous Smoking Worker for Torres Health. 

She runs the Nor Mor Smok Program on Thursday Island as well as the outer islands of the Torres Strait. 

Her job takes her to all the outer islands as well as Cairns and Brisbane for training. 

It is also one of the main reasons Joanna made the choice to get vaccinated against COVID-19. 

“I travel for my work, but I also study as well and that includes travelling too,” Ms Dorante said. 

“That’s what I mostly did it for. And also, I did it for my health too,” she said. 

“Also, for my children, and I’ve got grandchildren as well, and community of course.” 

Because Joanna travels a lot for work, she has also had the chance to yarn with people about the COVID-19 vaccine. 

“A few of the clients that have joined up to the program, I’m also getting their views on the vaccine,” she said. 

“They’ve asked me questions as well.  

“A few of them were feeling scared to get it but after talking to me and telling them what effects I had after it, I convinced them to go get it as well.” 

Joanna was also one of the many who initially had reservations about getting vaccinated against COVID-19. But after examining her priorities, and the journey the world has been on for the past two years, she decided that the time is now to get the jab. 

“It’s made me think, you should get the vaccine just to be safe.  

“At least if it comes our way, cause where we are here in the Torres Strait-it’s not only from the south where COVID is strong, like in NSW and Victoria.  

“We also have the PNG border coming down for us as well.  

“So that’s another thing to think about.  

“Saibai is one of the furthest islands I have to travel to for my work.” 

Saibai Island is the furthest north of the Torres Strait Islands and is a mere five kilometres from the Papua New Guinea mainland. 

Joanna also shared a piece of good news from the outer islands.  

“We just recently got some stats of who’s been vaccinated on the islands and the majority are good.  

“You know, over 40-50 per cent for their first dose that is.  

“I think Queensland Health have done a really good job with getting out there.  

“Having health workers travel with them as well for those ones who are a bit scared or just want a bit of extra advice and information.”  

For more information contact Torres Health or to book a vaccination appointment visit the Vaccine Clinic Finder.