Queenslander receives first jab

Gold Coast Hospital is the first practice site for the largest single vaccination program in history.

The initial rollout is targeted at frontline workers such as medics, hotel staff and border workers.

Zoe Parker, the Gold Coast who nurse received the first ‘jab’ said she now feels a lot safer at work after receiving the vaccine.

“I hardly felt it,” she said.

"I feel like the flu shot hurt a lot more.

"It's a really exciting time for all health care workers and Queensland.

“What an amazing turn around it is, when we look to where we are today compared to twelve months ago.”

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath is thankful for each and every Queenslander who is partaking in the vaccine rollout.

“In coming weeks and months, every Queenslander who wants to get vaccinated against COVID will be able to access one of the vaccines at no cost,” Ms D’Arth said.

Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service Infectious Diseases Director Dr John Gerrard said it was an honour to kick off the largest coordinated vaccination effort the state had ever seen.

“What a momentous moment in history to be a part of,” Dr Gerrard said.

“Our health service has seen 230 COVID-19 positive patients since the start of the pandemic, surrounded by our incredible doctors and nurses.

“What an incredible turnaround it is today, to welcome the vaccine.”

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said it was a day she had been waiting for all year.

“The most important thing everyone can do from here is get vaccinated,” she said.

“I know I will be ready and 100 per cent confident when it is my turn in the queue.”
Princess Alexandra and Cairns Hospitals are expected to come online as Pfizer vaccination locations on Wednesday and Friday this week.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that the rollout of the vaccine into other parts of the state would happen ‘very slowly’.

AstraZeneca vaccine will be distributed to Queensland by the Australian Government in the coming months.