PUBLIC sector aged care residents and staff on the Mornington Peninsula have begun receiving their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Residents at Peninsula Health’s Carinya Aged Care Centre at Capel Sound rolled up their sleeves last week, as phase 1a of the vaccine rollout is expanded across the region after beginning with frontline healthcare staff at Frankston Hospital.
Carinya nurse unit manager Michelle Paine says Carinya’s staff, residents and their families are keen to receive the first of their two vaccine doses, as they see the vaccine program as an important step towards protecting themselves and each other.
“The last 12 months have been very challenging for the aged care sector, for the families of the residents, as well as the staff,” she said. “That’s why everyone is so grateful for getting vaccinated so everyone can have the confidence of that extra layer of protection.”
Ms Paine said: “Our residents spent time isolated from friends and family for lengthy spells, last year in particular, so the vaccination process is such an important and vigilant step for them to be taking.
“There was a lot of behind-the-scenes work involved in implementing the vaccination program, and our residents were very closely monitored after receiving the vaccine.
“We all look forward to 2021 being a much better year ahead, especially with the rollout of the vaccination program.”
Peninsula Health Staff COVID-19 vaccination clinics are accepting eligible workers in phase 1a in the vaccination rollout. Those wanting to find out what phase they are in can use the federal government’s vaccine eligibility calculator.
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine visit the state government’s coronavirus website.
