On Wednesday 24 February, a group of Brightwater clients made history, receiving their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Brightwater’s aged care home in Waikiki, The Oaks.
40 Brightwater clients at The Oaks took part, including the first to be vaccinated for the day, Virginia Harrison.
When asked about the vaccine, Virginia said it was an easy decision for her to get the jab.
“I felt it was important to make sure I had it, not so much for my own health, but to make sure I couldn’t pass it onto others, getting the vaccine is a way we can make sure we protect each other,” she said.
“In my lifetime, vaccines have made a huge impact, for example polio is no longer an issue for us because of vaccines, and hopefully the outcome will be the same for COVID, if enough people get vaccinated this could eventually become a disease people no longer have to be worried about.”
The Australian Government has prioritised residential aged care facility workers and residents in Phase 1A of the national COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Residential aged care clients are among the first people in Australia to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Brightwater Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Lawrence said she is thrilled the vaccine has become available to aged care clients so quickly.
“It is great to see aged care homes around the country being prioritised, and to see so many of our clients taking up the opportunity to receive the vaccine,”
“We are looking forward to the COVID vaccine being rolled out across our aged care and disability homes, and to our frontline staff, many of whom at The Oaks, also received the jab alongside our clients on Wednesday.”
More information:
More information, including translated information, is available on the Department of Health’s website at health.gov.au/covid19-vaccines
People call also call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.
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