Bass Coast Covid vaccine: Aged care residents receive jab

An 89-year-old aged care resident was one of the first people in the Bass Coast to receive the COVID vaccine.

Flo Barber and Nurse Kerri Purkis at Kirrak House in Wonthaggi after Ms Barber received the COVID-19 vaccine. Picture: Brooke Grebert-Craig

Twenty-five aged care residents and healthcare workers in Wonthaggi have become the first people in the Bass Coast to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from a public facility.

Delivered by the Gippsland Region Public Health Unit, vaccinations rolled out at Kirrak House — a nursing home operated by Bass Coast Health on Thursday, March 11.

Flo Barber was one of the first residents to receive the vaccine.

“I didn’t think much about it,” she said.

“I felt a prick but it didn’t hurt.”

The 89-year-old local moved to Kirrak House two years ago after suffering from a stroke.

“My husband was worried about me,” Ms Barber said.

“But I’m a fighter.”

She said she was in the “best of care” and always looked after by staff.

Gippsland Region Public Health Unit operations manager Annelies Titulaer said all vaccinations “went well” this morning.

Healthcare workers who completed covid vaccinations at Kirrak House in Wonthaggi. Picture: Brooke Grebert-Craig

“There was no adverse reactions of the Pfizer,” she said.

“We are thankful for the support of the community during the rollout.”

Ms Titulaer said it’s important for people to stay well informed about the COVID-19 vaccine.

“People must look at evidence based resources to make an informed choice,” she said.

“It’s still important to social distance and wash hands thoroughly.”

About 30 residents and healthcare workers at Griffith Point Lodge in San Remo will receive the COVID-19 vaccination later today.

This was the first of two doses required with the second to be delivered in three weeks.

Bass Coast Health Acting chief executive Louise Sparkes said the rollout was “terrific news” for residents and staff.

“It offers some relief after twelve months of managing the COVID-19 risk daily,” Ms Sparkes said.

“Our Chief Medical Officer Dr Renee Kelsall and Geriatrician Dr Jun Yew (Alvin) Tay were both available for all residents and provided a briefing for family members.”

A total of 3984 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered at hospital vaccination hubs across Victoria on Wednesday.

This brings the total number of vaccine doses administered in Victoria since the program started on Monday, February 22 to 22.317.

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