Biala man Lloyd Anderson had no qualms about receiving a vaccination against COVID-19 on Monday.
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He was among the first at Marima Medical Clinic to be given the AstraZeneca vaccine that had only arrived at the clinic on Friday.
"I've been on tenterhooks since coronavirus broke out because if I got it, I wouldn't be here," he told The Post.
Mr Anderson, 63, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphona two years ago. Early last year the cancer travelled to his brain and he subsequently underwent stem cell treatment in Canberra Hospital, which left his white blood cells and immunity "virtually non-existent."
During his illness he has also endured a heavy chemotherapy regime. Thankfully, Mr Anderson is now in remission.
"I've virtually been housebound for the past 12 months...I went out once and caught a virus which nearly killed me and put me back in hospital," he said.
Mr Anderson urged everyone who was eligible under phase 1b, including the over 70s and those with specified chronic conditions, to receive the vaccine.
"It's painless and I haven't experienced any side effects," he said.
"I've been getting vaccines since I was a baby so I'm used to it. I'd really recommend everyone gets it because it will eradicate coronavirus. We want to get rid of it, put it on the shelf just like we did with Spanish flu and never hear of it again."
Now, in his book "every day is a good day." Having gone through extensive treatment he said "the sky looked bluer, the grass greener and the birds whistled louder."
Marima practice manager Kim Weeks said 80 vaccines would be administered weekly, in accordance with the federal government allocation. This number is expected to rise over time, given CSL's approval in the past few days to produce the AstraZeneca vaccine locally.
However flooding in NSW could hold up delivery of the current overseas vaccines.
"We'll stand by and keep plugging away on them because we see it as a community obligation to get it out there. We'll see that happens," Mrs Weeks said.
Those eligible for the jab under phase 1b include people aged over 70, 'other health care workers,' Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders over 55, adults with specified medical conditions, adults with a disability who have a specified underlying medical condition and critical and high risk workers such as defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing personnel.
On Monday, Bradfordville Family Medical Centre was awaiting delivery of 400 vaccines for the week. Practice manager Mel Bell said only 300 of the 4500 clinics Australian clinics that applied had received this allocation. She expected them to arrive in time for 100 bookings on Tuesday. The practice has eight GPs.
"We've had a lot of calls about it and a very positive response," she said.
"(But) if people have concerns they should talk to their GP."
Goulburn Medical Clinic has also been approved to administer 80 vaccines a week. The Bradfordville Health Hub will begin giving 50 jabs weekly on April 12. Crookwell Health Care Centre will also receive its allocation in April. People are encouraged to visit its website at http://www.thehcc.com.au/
For more information on eligibility under phase 1b go to https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
