Health staff start to receive vaccines

Annie Micallef. Picture Penny Stephens/Western Health

Tara Murray

Western Health’s Annie Micallef has seen firsthand the impact of getting COVID-19, so the intensive care nurse had no hesitation in getting the COVID-19 vaccine last week.

The nurse was one of the first staff from across Western Health’s facilities to get the injection, as part of the nationwide roll out.

Ms Micallef said there was a relief that the injection program was finally here and they could start the process.

“The impact [of COVID-19] is real and it is one of the worst pneumonias or diseases I have seen,” she said.

“It was really trying time last year and I never want to see it again.

“There was no trepidation [in getting the vaccine]. I was more than happy to get it done.”

The Western Health vaccine hub is located at the Sunshine Hospital multi-level carpark, which is set to run for more than six months.

Ms Micallef said it was good to have a facility at the hospital.

“It was awesome to see the adaptation of the building,” she said. “It has a capacity of 60 cubicles and can vaccinate about 1500 plus people a week.

Border, frontline health care and aged care workers and aged care residents are eligible to receive the vaccine in the initial roll out.

Each person will get two doses of the vaccine, three weeks apart.