Liam Durkin
IT was history in the making in Moe on Monday, as the first COVID-19 vaccination in a Gippsland general practice clinic was distributed.
Moe’s Barry Johnson had the distinction of being the first person jabbed, and said he felt “great” after the procedure.
“It couldn’t come quick enough (the vaccine),” the 82-year-old said.
“I’ve been home by myself and just got awful lonely going through all this, it’s been hell actually, but I’m pleased that we’re on the way out now.
“It’s just a relaxing feeling that I’ve had it.”
Dr Mohammed Mostofa from Central Gippsland Family Medicine administered the inaugural dose, a very straightforward injection into the left arm.
The procedure looked virtually the same as a flu-shot, with patients required to wait some minutes in the clinic following their injection.
Patients at Central Gippsland Family Health were also given a handout with information after their appointment.
Dr Mohammed said there was nothing to fear with the vaccine.
“It is a very safe vaccine and also very effective,” he said.
“We are fully prepared and set to go, we are really happy that we are part of this so that we can vaccinate our community.
“People are becoming more and more confident to receive the vaccine.
“It has been exciting, we have been waiting for this for quite some time.”
In simple terms, the vaccine is injected into the system to form an antibody against the coronavirus.
Twenty-two Gippsland general practices started administering the COVID-19 vaccine from Monday.
In addition to the general practices, vaccines will be administered by the Gippsland Respiratory Clinics and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.
All Australians will have access to the vaccine, however initially, doses are limited to priority groups who will be among the first to receive the vaccine.
Gippsland Primary Health Network chief executive officer Amanda Proposch said the general practices approved by the Australian Department of Health to participate in Phase 1b of the vaccine rollout would receive supply of vaccines progressively over the coming weeks.
“It is important for all of us, as a community, to understand that this is a considered, phased approach, in response to the supply and availability of the vaccine which will become more and more as the vaccine is produced in Australia,” she said.
“In Phase 1b, eligible people include anyone over 70 years old, healthcare workers, younger adults with an underlying condition and high-risk workers like emergency services personnel and meat processing workers.
“It also includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are over 55.
“People can use the Australian government’s COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker to find out when they can expect to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and if they are eligible for Phase 1b, how to then find the location of the nearest vaccination clinic and how to book.”
To use the checker, visit https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility
With Moe now the first Gippsland town for GPs to offer the COVID vaccine, it can add that to its list of accomplishments, along with being the first Victorian town to have an Aussie Disposals. Such a historic moment could act as a precursor of firsts for things to happen in Moe this year.
