NSW Covid: Sydneysiders vaccinated in force amid Delta outbreak

Millions of NSW residents have gotten the jab to protect themselves and the community amid the lethal Delta outbreak.

More than 2.5 million jabs have been pumped into arms around NSW since Sydney’s Covid outbreak started on June 16, as residents protect themselves and the state against the lethal Delta strain.

Across Sydney newly-opened vaccination hubs have played a major role in boosting immunised numbers, with 4,449,056 jabs now handed.

They include Sydney Olympic Park’s mass vaccination hub which has doled out more than 83,000 jabs in the past week.

Cine Mbaye at the Sydney Olympic Park vaccination hub after getting the Covid-19 vaccine. Picture: Toby Zerna

Roz Cunningham at the Sydney Olympic Park vaccination hub after getting the Covid-19 vaccine. Picture: Toby Zerna

Liam Howell and Caroline Giardina. Picture: Toby Zerna

Anurag Gupta. Picture: Toby Zerna

A total of 22.87 per cent of the population aged over 16 have been fully vaccinated with two doses as we head slowly toward Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s target of 80 per cent.

In the west, hubs at Westmead Hospital and Blacktown managed by the Western Sydney Local Health District are handing out about 2000 jabs a day, while the Sydney CBD hub on Pitt Street has roughly 7000 appointments per week pencilled in.

It’s resulted in a major jump from the mere 1,817,255 vaccines which had been administered before June 16 – when an unvaccinated limo driver tasked with transporting international flight crews became the first Covid-19 case of the current outbreak.

And in keeping with Sydney Strong mantra, people from all walks of life desperate for a return to normality have been doing their part.

Mario Azark at the Sydney Olympic Park vaccination hub after getting the Covid-19 vaccine. Picture: Toby Zerna

Cristina Santos at the Sydney Olympic Park vaccination hub after getting the Covid-19 vaccine. Picture: Toby Zerna

They include Yacine Mbaye, 37, from Chester Hill, who lined up at Sydney Olympic Park on Monday to receive her second dose of Pfizer.

A disability support worker, Ms Mbaye said vaccine coverage was crucial in protecting herself and the people she works with.

“As a disability support worker, I would like to vaccinate to protect myself and our clientele so everyone is safe,” she told The Telegraph.

Anurag Gupta, an IT worker from Lidcombe, said he got the jab to protect his loved ones.

From India originally, Mr Gupta said he had relatives who had died from Covid.

“I did it because I have a young family and older parents. I want to keep them safe and keep the community safe too,” he said.

Year 12 student Brooke Vrontamitis after receiving her first Pfizer vaccination at Qudos Stadium, pictured with her father Alexi Vrontamitis. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

Year 12 Menai High School student Brendan Marshall after receiving his first Pfizer vaccination at Qudos Bank Arena, pictured with his father Scott Marshall. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

Monday was also the first day of a concentrated week-long push to vaccinate 24,000 Year 12 school students at the nearby Qudos Bank Arena, in a bid to allow them to sit HSC exams on site in October.

Alexi Vrontamitis’ daughter Brooke received her first Pfizer jab at the arena on Monday morning.

He said Brooke’s vaccination brought “peace of mind” to the whole family.

“I think our family know our way out of this pandemic is for everyone to get the vaccine,” he said.

“In our mind it’s our only way to get out of the pandemic, and hopefully means Brooke can get back into a classroom for her HSC.”

For Menai High School student Brendan Marshall, his first jab meant he was another step closer to seeing his school mates and getting back into the classroom.

“It’s good to have the option (to get vaccinated),” he said post-jab.

“I’d rather do it at school, sitting it at home would be too hard.”