Frontline health care workers at the greatest risk of potential exposure to Covid-19 rolled up their sleeves to receive the first jabs of the Pfizer vaccine at the Liverpool vaccination hub this morning.
The Liverpool vaccination hub is one of the first three set up in to provide the Covid-19 vaccine to the high priority groups in Phase 1a.
South Western Sydney Local Health District director of critical care, associate professor Deepak Bhonagiri, was the first to receive the vaccine in the region, pictured above.
Throughout the pandemic, Associate Professor Bhonagiri and his team have cared for critically ill Covid-19 patients in the region at Liverpool Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
“We looked after very sick patients in the ICU. Naturally, despite using personal protective equipment, we worried about our staff catching the virus,” Prof Bhonagiri said.
“Protecting our frontline workers so they can continue to safely care for the community is our first priority, but I also very much look forward to seeing vaccines rolled out across the country.”
South Western Sydney Local Health District chief executive Amanda Larkin was excited to take this massive leap forward in the fight against Covid-19.
“Frontline workers who will receive the vaccine over the next few weeks are those most likely to come in contact with Covid-19 cases,” Ms Larkin said.
“It gives me great pleasure to see these frontline workers, who have worked so hard for our community receive the Covid-19 vaccine.”
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.
Campbelltown Hospital emergency department nurse unit manager Daryn Mitford, pictured below, was the first nurse in the District to receive the vaccine.
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