By Luke Voogt
Geelong’s first public sector aged care residents and staff rolled up their sleeves to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday.
The local rollout, which began with frontline healthcare staff and port workers on Monday, expanded to Barwon Health’s Alan David Lodge at Charlemont.
Lodge resident Roz Welsh refused to let her fear of needles stop her getting the vaccine.
“I’ve been a bit nervous, but I know I just have to do it because it’s something that might help others,” she said.
“I would never be able to forgive myself if I had the virus and spread it to my friends, so I just have to do it.”
Lodge associate nurse unit manager Jane Byworth signed up for the injection to help protect the centre’s residents and her family.
“I’ve got a 14-year-old at home and it’s really good knowing she’ll have some extra protection once I’ve had the vaccine,” she said.
“It’s been a tough year for our residents, being isolated for so long, and also for our staff to be so vigilant in taking all the steps to protect them.
“It’s reassuring to know millions of people worldwide have already had the vaccine with little or no side effects.”
Barwon South West Public Health Unit’s vaccination team will also visit McKellar Centre, North Geelong, before extending phase 1A of the rollout to the rest of the region.
