Frontline workers line up for milestone shot

I’M SUPER-PRIVILEGED TO BE ABLE TO BE THE FIRST TODAY. IT WAS A LONG 12 MONTHS COMING. SO I’M REALLY THANKFUL

NURSE JEN IVES

THE first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been given to healthcare workers in Hobart as the state government begins its rollout of the Pfizer jab.

At the Royal Hobart Hospital on Tuesday, nurse Jen Ives was first in line for the injection under the state-administered scheme.

Working in the respiratory and infectious diseases ward, she said the benefit was obvious – and the needle didn’t even hurt.

“I’m super-privileged to be able to be the first today. It was a long 12 months coming. So I’m really thankful,” she said.

“This is going to be a benefit to healthcare workers but also the community at large.

“I have been a part of the COVID response, including my team.

“We’ve put in a lot of preparation over the last 12 months, we’ve worked together as a team, and I’m really proud of all the work we’ve been doing.”

Health Minister Sarah Courtney hailed the milestone as “an incredibly exciting day”.

“We’re going to see around 1000 vaccinations delivered over the coming few days here at the Royal Hobart Hospital,” she said.

“We’ll be delivering around 1000 vaccinations per week and then as we start receiving more Pfizer vaccinations we’ll be able to expand to Launceston General Hospital and the North West Regional Hospital in mid March.”

Health Department Secretary Kathrine MorganWicks said there had been careful planning around the vaccine rollout to ensure the 195 six-dose vials the state had on hand were used to maximum effect.

“This is such a significant milestone that we’re seeing today, I was so excited to see Jen vaccinated upstairs … and probably quite an emotional day for our team as well, after the last 12 months that we’ve experienced.”

Further supplies of the vaccine are on the way. The federal government is running its own vaccination program in Tasmanian aged care facilities.