TAMWORTH HOSPITAL STAFF RECEIVE FIRST DOSES OF THE ASTRAZENECA VACCINE

Tamworth Hospital’s frontline staff are starting to receive the AstraZeneca jab, as the hospital’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic swings open its doors today.

Rural and Regional Health Services Executive Director, Susan Heyman says she’s excited to see the first of rural and regional staff get the vaccine.

“Their work is essential to keeping our community safe and I am delighted that we can now offer them extra protection against the virus,” Ms Heyman said.

“Our staff have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to get the vaccine clinic up and running, and it is exciting to see their hard work come to fruition.”

Throughout the pandemic, Intensive Care Unit Nurse and Clinical Nurse Educator, Jeremy Deasey has worked on the frontline at Tamworth Hospital.

Today, he was the first staff member to be vaccinated at the hospital.

“We see a lot of very unwell patients in the intensive care unit, many of which have respiratory conditions,” Mr Deasey said.

“Despite using our personal protective equipment, we worry about catching the virus.

“My colleagues and I definitely feel safer now that the vaccine his here.

“It’s so important that we all receive the vaccine, not only to protect ourselves, but to keep our patients and loved ones safe.”

Tamworth Hospital’s rollout will pave the way for the vaccine to come online at various multipurpose services and other hospitals in the New England.