Health staff Adrian Daley, Dr Rob Hislop, Dr Aiveen Bannan and Donna Hughes were among the first to have their COVID-19 vaccination at Port Macquarie Base Hospital.
Staff COVID-19 vaccinations begin on the Mid North Coast
Mar 29, 2021The COVID-19 vaccination rollout began at Port Macquarie Base Hospital today with frontline healthcare workers lining up to get their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The Port Macquarie vaccination clinic is the latest to open on the Mid North Coast as part of the National Vaccination Program. The Coffs Harbour Health Campus vaccination hub opened on Wednesday, 17 March.
Frontline healthcare worker Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr Aiveen Bannan was the first to roll up her sleeve and receive the jab at Port Macquarie.
Dr Bannan said receiving the vaccine was a significant moment, both personally and professionally, given her involvement in the pandemic response from the beginning.
“My role has involved treating COVID-19 patients at Port Macquarie Base Hospital, so I’ve seen firsthand the impacts of the pandemic on patients and their families,” she said.
“The vaccine gives me extra assurance that I’m keeping myself, my patients, my colleagues and my loved ones at home safe. I strongly encourage everyone to be vaccinated when it’s their turn.”
Port Macquarie Base Hospital Intensivist Dr Rob Hislop, Aboriginal Health Worker Adrian Daley and Emergency Department Nursing Unit Manager Donna Hughes were also among the first staff to receive the vaccine.
Mid North Coast Local Health District Chief Executive Stewart Dowrick described the opening of the Port Macquarie vaccination clinic as a significant milestone in the local COVID-19 response.
“The vaccination clinic will provide those frontline healthcare workers with the greatest risks of potential exposure to COVID-19 with local access to the vaccine. It’s important that we protect those whose ongoing efforts over the past year have helped to keep our community safe from COVID-19,” Mr Dowrick said.
The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine will be given in two doses.
NSW is working closely with the Australian Government to implement a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccination program. For more information about COVID-19 vaccination in NSW, visit the NSW Health website.
Since March 2020, the NSW Government has committed more than $3 billion to help transform the healthcare system to increase its capacity and ensure it is well placed to manage the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and respond to any future crises. This funding has helped bring the 2020-21 Health budget to $29.3 billion.