PHASE 1B of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout starts today, and Member for Mallee Anne Webster has already “put my body where my mouth is”, becoming the first person to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Mildura.
Dr Webster and her husband, Mildura GP Philip Webster, were among the first patients to get the AstraZeneca jab at Ontario Medical Clinic to kick off the phase 1B rollout, which is expected to cover up to six million Australians over the next three months.
Phase 1B is open to Australians aged over 70, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 55, those with underlying health conditions, emergency services workers and health care workers not covered by phase 1A.
Dr Webster said the vaccine rollout was a “vital” step in the war on COVID-19.
“Vaccines are the game-changer in our fight against the COVID-19 virus,” she said.
“I urge everyone in Australia to come forward and get vaccinated when they are able to.
“It’s about making sure we’re doing everything we can so we can get on with our lives post-COVID.
“I think people probably wonder is that day ever going to come, but yes, it will. And the more people who get vaccinated, the more we can bring down all the restrictions and get on with our lives.”
Dr Webster was eligible for phase 1B because she is immunocompromised, but said she felt it was important to get the jab early to reassure others.
“It’s really important that leaders step up and have the vaccination, because people are needing confidence,” she said.
“I have a chronic illness that means that I’m on immunosuppressants on an ongoing basis. There are a lot of people like me in the community and they can now step up and have their vaccination, which is good news.”
This week’s rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine means phase 1B has beaten the state-managed phase 1A Pfizer vaccines to the Mallee.
Dr Webster said she hoped the Pfizer vaccine would be available for staff at Mildura’s hospitals and health care providers “any moment”, but in the meantime those eligible were welcome to join phase 1B instead.
“Anyone who is in 1A also can come and take the AstraZeneca if they want to do that,” she said.
“Obviously it’s their choice, but AstraZeneca is obviously available now, so they can make an appointment.”
As the vaccination rollout ramps up, Australia’s supply is set to be bolstered by local production of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
“Fifty million vaccine doses will be produced by CSL in Melbourne over these next few months and that’s good news,” Dr Webster said.
“We will be self-reliant, we won’t be having to wait for Europe to provide those vaccines to us, which is incredibly important.”
Dr Webster reiterated that the AstraZeneca jab was safe after concerns arose last week about the vaccine potentially causing blood clots.
“It was really pleasing the other day to have the European medical regulator come out so quickly and deny the issues with AstraZeneca,” she said.
“We can be confident, we have extremely amazing health care and regulation in Australia.
“The (Therapeutic Goods Administration is) really second to none, so their advice and their confidence in this vaccine is very important and that’s what we go by.
“Our medical experts have made it very clear that these vaccines are safe.”
Just minutes after having the needle, Dr Webster told media she felt “fine”.
“I actually didn’t feel it go in, which normally I do,” she said.
But Dr Webster encouraged others looking to get a jab to be patient amid worries the GP clinics administering the vaccine would get overrun with people seeking their own dose of the “silver bullet”.
“The reality is that that’s going to be true,” Dr Webster said.
“For this clinic to put an additional 400 people through in a week where they’re already incredibly busy is an amazing effort.
“What I think is important is that people are patient.
“Australia is in a really good position and if there’s one thing we do have on our side, thankfully, it’s time. So we don’t need to actually panic that the vaccine will take a few months to get rolled out.”
With phase 1B starting in Sunraysia this week, vaccines are set to be administered at Ontario Medical Clinic, Ontario Family Practice, Lime Medical Clinic, Mildura Respiratory Clinic and Mallee District Aboriginal Services in Mildura, as well as Irymple Medical Centre.
To check eligibility for the vaccine rollout, visit the Department of Health’s Eligibility Checker.
Vaccination starts with confidence
ANDY Gordon, 78, and wife Paula, 75, were also among the first vaccine recipients in Mildura.
Both were proud to be among the first vaccinated.
“I’m quite honoured,” Mr Gordon said.
“I’ve got full confidence in the science – I’ve been following it.”
He added a bit of reassurance to those worried about getting the jab: “I wasn’t sure I’d had the needle, (the nurse) was so good. I thought what? Is it over?”
Mrs Gordon echoed her husband’s assessment, saying she “didn’t feel a thing”, and said her COVID-19 vaccination was akin to a badge of honour.
“I’m going to brag,” she said with a laugh.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be early and done with.
“My friends and family have all rushed to make appointments today, and some who aren’t quite of age are waiting for their birthday.”
But with the vaccine rollout a big step on the road back to normal life, Mrs Gordon said she still hoped to see some COVID-19 prevention techniques stick around.
“Some of the practices that we’ve developed for COVID, I hope they continue regardless of the threat,” she said.
“We’ve had less influenza, less sickness, less disease.”
On a recent trip to Tasmania, the couple got a glimpse of what COVID-normal life could look like.
Contemplating the road back to life as we knew it after getting her vaccine, Mrs Gordon had one message for those looking to get the jab: “Go for it.”
