Northern Health’s COVID-19 vaccination program last week celebrated a milestone of 50,000 doses administered since the rollout began.
St Helena resident Dominic Ennis was Northern Health’s 50,000th vaccine patient.
Mr Ennis, who received his second dose, said it was a big relief to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
“There is a big sense of relief. I was saying to a colleague that I was excited,” Mr Ennis said.
“It’s very important and I am very grateful that we’ve got a good health system so that we can get vaccinated.
“Follow the public health advice and do the right thing by everyone in our community, it’s pretty simple.”
Northern Health’s two clinics, at the Epping hospital and at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre, PRACC, in South Morang, has some of the highest vaccination capacities of clinics in the area.
They currently administer about 1000 doses each day.
Northern Health chief executive Siva Sivarajah visited the walk-in vaccination clinic at the PRACC to thank the staff for their hard work.
“Thank you to our staff, volunteers and everyone involved for achieving this amazing milestone,” he said.
“Receiving a COVID-19 vaccination is an important step in keeping our community safe and I strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to receive a vaccine, to come forward.
“By getting the COVID-19 vaccination, you are playing an important role in not only protecting your own health, but those around you as well. I am pleased to see the dedicated staff working together to vaccinate our community.”
The clinic’s nurse unit manager Luma Gashi said it was rewarding to be able to assist in the vaccination program.
“Our community is amazed and grateful for the service we have been able to provide,” she said.
“It is important that our community continues to get their COVID-19 vaccines so we can protect each other and return to a COVID-normal life.
“A very big thank you to all who have been involved in the set up and rollout of the COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at both Northern Hospital Epping and PRACC.”
To check eligibility or make a booking at Northern Hospital Epping, visit vaccination.nh.org.au. PRACC welcomes walk-ins.
