South Sudanese immigrant Mary Athian admits navigating the misinformation and confusion surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine has been overwhelming.
Ms Athian has lived in Toowoomba for two years and received her first Pfizer vaccine on Friday.
But like many parents in her children's school community, it was not governments or the media that ultimately convinced her.
It was her English class at Darling Heights State School that meets every week to help a major percentage of the parents of students learn and adjust to Australian culture.
"Today is a good day, because Ricky [a teacher in the English class] told me you can get a vaccination and then I said, ‘No, I don't want it'," she said.
Ms Athian said her involvement with the school community gave her the confidence to get the jab.
"Before, it was hard to help my kids with homework and I was scared to talk with people because my English was not good," she said.
School-based clinics a 'no-brainer'
School principal Mark Creedon said putting a Pfizer clinic on site through Carbal Medical Service was a "no-brainer".
"It's not coincidental that the vaccine clinic is the same time as the English classes," Mr Creedon said.
"We would hope it gives us the opportunity to provide them with some factual information about what this is not, what can be heard on the grapevine or incorrectly distributed via social media.
Cambodian-born Sueyi Aouyataang, an English student of six months, was also one of 70 people who lined up to get the jab after class on the clinic's first day.
"I am now excited for the vaccine, and I know I'm getting it because the virus is bad," she said.
Mr Creedon said the number of vaccinations was proof schools had a major role to play in the rollout.
"There are some silly things floating around about what vaccinations can do and the only way to dispel those is show it's OK, and that's what we're hoping to do with this initiative," he said.
"Where people gather, where they're comfortable, and where we can provide any range of support, whether that's other health care initiatives or being able to assist in any other way. "
As the state government's new roadmap puts interstate travel back on the table for Christmas, Carbal Medical Service's Reece Griffin said the school clinic would stay as long as necessary.
"We find that often when communities find out information there might be a bit of hesitancy," Mr Griffin said.
"It takes a community to run a community, so we need a community effort to address those concerns."
