‘Couldn’t be happier’: Brett Sutton gets jab as mass vaccination centres open

Victorians who had waited weeks to get coronavirus jabs at general practices have walked straight into mass vaccination clinics, with smaller than expected crowds present on their first day of operation.

More than 1000 people were vaccinated on Wednesday across the three centres, according to the Health Department.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton was among the first people to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine at the Royal Exhibition Building, one of three mass vaccination centres to open to the public on Wednesday morning.

Members of the public in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the Royal Exhibition Building.Credit: Getty Images

The 51-year-old posted a selfie soon after, saying he “couldn’t be happier”.

Professor Sutton also explained the extremely low risk of blood clots associated with the vaccine.

“You are more likely to get a clot, of whatever age you are, on a long haul flight from Europe and North America than getting this jab,” he said.

“You do it for yourself but we’re doing it for everyone, ultimately, and it’s going to make Australia a different place.”

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton receives the vaccine at the Royal Exhibition Building.Credit: AAP/POOL

Any Victorian eligible for the coronavirus vaccine under phase 1a or 1b can receive it at Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre or Geelong’s former Ford factory from Wednesday.

Bill Wright, 64, attended the Royal Exhibition Building after unsuccessfully trying to secure an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination with his local GP.

“There were no vacancies,” the Greensborough resident said. “I thought this would be quicker.”

He was surprised so few people attended the mass vaccination clinic.

Mr Wright said the vaccination would give him peace of mind. “It’s not over yet,” he said.

Steve Bassili, who received his first shot of AstraZeneca at the Royal Exhibition Building on Wednesday, said he was shocked to see so few people at the mass vaccination centre.

“I was surprised to see that people are not interested in walking in and taking that first step,” the 71-year-old said. “We owe it to our country.”

He said blood clots were an incredibly rare side effect of the vaccine and this should be taken into consideration. “I could walk across the road and get hit by a car,” he said.

Steve Bassili after getting his shot.Credit: Meredith O’Shea

Eligible Victorians, which include those aged 70 and over and people with medical conditions or disabilities, are being urged to make appointments to get their AstraZeneca jabs. Walk-in options are available, but those with appointments will get priority.

Health authorities said the more than 1000 people vaccinated at the mass clinics on Wednesday was a tenfold increase from a week ago.

“Booking interest also went through the roof this morning, with 1000 calls made in one two-hour period,” a spokeswoman said.

“These bookings are being spread over the coming days and weeks, based on what individuals choose.”

The state has the capacity to immunise between 50,000 and 60,000 people each week and expects to scale up to 100,000 a week within a fortnight.

Victoria’s COVID-19 response commander, Jeroen Weimar, said on Sunday that options for expanding the mass-vaccination approach to other parts of the state would be considered in coming weeks.

Western suburbs GP and Australian General Practice Alliance director Mukesh Haikerwal said many Victorians were still unsure whether they were eligible for the vaccine, particularly those under 70 with underlying health conditions.

He was not surprised that the Royal Exhibition Building vaccination centre was quiet on Wednesday.

“At the moment, demand is not high because confusion abounds,” Dr Haikerwal said. He called for more encouragement for eligible people to come forward.

“If we don’t want to lock down, which is the alternative, we need to go and get vaccinated.”

Michelle Mackintosh, who has an autoimmune condition, had to wait for 30 minutes after receiving her shot.

“The nurses were lovely. It was very smooth,” she said.

Ms Mackintosh is planning to travel to Japan for work in July, so she was keen to get her first shot on Wednesday.

“I was seen almost straight away.”

Michelle Mackintosh after her shot.Credit: Meredith O’Shea

Heading to the mass vaccination clinic was an easy choice for Bill Paterson.

“A sting in the arm or 12 weeks in intensive care? I know what I choose,” the 59-year-old said.

The nurse and policy worker, who works with people with HIV, rated the experience a nine out of 10.

“It wasn’t busy, and the nurse had a great sense of humour,” he said.

Mr Paterson said having the vaccine would not make him any less vigilant when it came to COVID-safe practices.

“I will still keep my distance and sanitise my hands.”

He said he didn’t have any qualms about getting the vaccination, despite news of the AstraZeneca vaccine being linked to a possible rare side effect causing blood clots.

“There’s a remarkable number of unknowns, but when there’s a pandemic situation you have to act because when we know, it’s often too late,” he said.

David Hirst, 68, received his first shot after he was unable to get one from his GP. He has a cardiovascular condition and was keen to get vaccinated.

Members of Fire Rescue Victoria arrive at the Royal Exhibition Building for their vaccine.Credit: Getty Images

Mr Hirst said mass vaccination centres were far more efficient than doctors for administering the jabs.

“The move to go to mass vaccination centres like this is the right move and the way they should have gone right from the get-go,” he said.

Larry McNicol said the vaccination clinic was quiet and could have dealt with a lot more people.

But the 71-year-old retired anaesthetist said the experience was “as smooth as silk” and he felt “absolutely fine” following his jab.

He made a booking on the phone earlier on Wednesday and simply walked into the clinic.

“We need to get as many people vaccinated from a public health point of view,” he said.

Sandra Nelson, 74, took the chance to be immediately vaccinated after struggling to get one from her GP.

She planned to relax for the afternoon to see if there were any side effects.

“I’m happy now that I’ve had it done,” she said.

Australian Medical Association Victorian president Julian Rait said GPs would appreciate that mass vaccination centres were opening to the public, and would hope they picked up the majority of people aged under 50 who are eligible.

But he expected GPs would have to vaccinate most people with complex health needs who may speak different languages or need prolonged explanations about the vaccines.

Three new cases were recorded in Victorian hotel quarantine on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases in the system to 17. The wider community remains virus-free for the 54th day.

Meanwhile, viral fragments have been detected in wastewater samples taken from sewer catchments in Moonee Ponds and Ringwood.

Anyone with symptoms in the following suburbs is urged to get tested: Ascot Vale, Brunswick, Brunswick West, Coburg, Essendon, Essendon Fields, Flemington, Kensington, Moonee Ponds, North Melbourne, Parkville, Pascoe Vale, Pascoe Vale South, Strathmore, Travancore, Bayswater, Bayswater North, Boronia, Croydon, Croydon North, Croydon South, Heathmont, Kilsyth, Kilsyth South, Montrose, Ringwood, Ringwood East, Sassafras, The Basin, Tremont, Wantirna.

The Victorian government also said on Wednesday that any travellers who had come from Auckland in New Zealand since April 17 should monitor for symptoms after the recent infection in a worker at Auckland Airport.

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