ABC Kimberley: Erin Parke
)An Indigenous health worker has become the first resident of northern Western Australia to receive a COVID-19 vaccination as the rollout extends across the state.
Nyikina Nyul Nyul woman Emily Hunter has been working on the frontline during the pandemic as a senior nurse at Broome Hospital.
After receiving the Pfizer jab, she said she hoped to the be first of many residents in the region to be vaccinated.
"I'm quite proud to be the first person in the Kimberley," she said.
"Twelve months ago everyone was terrified about what was going to happen and no one knew anything about COVID-19.
ABC: Vanessa Mills
)Regional vaccine rollout underway
WA Country Health is expecting to deliver more than 150 doses in Broome this week as part of the initial rollout phase focusing on quarantine workers, health and aged care staff and aged care residents.
Clinics in Port Hedland, Albany and Esperance will start vaccinating in the coming days, while clinics in Geraldton and Kalgoorlie should begin operating next week.
Health Minister Roger Cook said he expected about 8,000 people to be vaccinated with the Pfizer or AstraZeneca jab over the next seven days.
WACHS spokesperson Dr Helen Van Gessel said the milestone signals a step up in the state's vaccination efforts.
"While initial stock is limited, rest assured the WA Country Health Service is ready and waiting to vaccinate as many people as possible, as soon as possible," she said.
"With 250,000,000 people around the world now vaccinated against COVID-19, worldwide data is assuring us both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines are safe, effective and the right ones to protect Australians."
ABC Kimberley: Erin Parke
)Second phase in two weeks
People over 70 years old, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents and those with underlying medical conditions will be targeted in the next phase of the program, due to start in a fortnight.
The Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services is one of the lead agencies for the second phase.
Medical director Lorraine Anderson said the organisation is aiming for a 90 per cent vaccination rate.
"The big thing is making people aware of what the evidence base is," she said.
"So it's about bringing that back, not engaging with the myths."
While many communities have remained virtually isolated from the pandemic, Dr Anderson said they need to plan for the future.
"As border restrictions open, people get vaccinated elsewhere and the tourists come back, the risk of us being exposed to COVID-19 become much higher, so it's absolutely vital that out remote communities are vaccinated," she said.
Supplied: KAMSC
)Misinformation remains a concern
But there are many in the remote Kimberley region who feel reluctant to take the vaccine.
Patricia Riley, from the Pandanus Park Aboriginal Community, said misinformation has scared residents.
"There's a lot of media, both positive and negative, and it's confusing us, our people are confused over whether to take it or not," she said.
"The majority of people that I have spoken to say they don't want to take it."
Ms Riley said she has not had any contact by health authorities over the vaccine.
"[We need] more education of understanding what the vaccine does, why it is being created."
Dr Anderson promised more tailored information will be released soon.
"As the vaccine becomes available, you'll see that information come out … hopefully radio, print media, definitely social media," she said.
