John Burnett, from the Central Queensland mining town of Clermont, did not want to get the COVID-19 vaccine to just protect himself, but to help protect the community.
Mr Burnett was one of many who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine at the Clermont Pharmacy this week.
"It was a lot easier than vaccinating cows. We at least sit and behave, and we're keen to get it done," he said.
"We're getting it done not only for ourselves but for the community.
Select rural and regional pharmacies began administering the vaccine last month, with the Clermont facility the latest to join the expanding list.
Until this week, the only way to get vaccinated in Clermont was through the Mackay Hospital and Health Service's semi-regular vaccination team that travels between regional towns.
More vaccine centres are set to open in Moranbah and other towns in the coming weeks, and the Dysart Pharmacy hopes to offer it before the end of July.
Pharmacist Grant Oswald said the Clermont Pharmacy had to call for support to get started.
"Being the only pharmacist in town, I couldn't do it myself," Mr Oswald said.
"So, I had to reach out and get a nurse. So, I rang one of the local mining companies and said "Hey, we want to do COVID vaccinations, have you got a nurse that you can help me out with.'"
Mr Oswald said bookings opened a week before they began administering the vaccine on Monday, and they quickly filled up.
"We've actually got a waiting list," he said.
He said he hoped to one day be able to offer the Pfizer vaccine at the pharmacy as well as the AstraZeneca shot.
Side effects mean immune system 'doing what it should'
Vaccination nurse Nicky Willis was flown to Clermont from Brisbane, via the help of mining company Glencore, to help operate the vaccination service.
"As a nurse, it's just run of the mill. It's nothing out of the ordinary for me anyway," she said.
Ms Willis said patients had asked plenty of questions about side effects.
"It's the same as a flu shot," she said.
"You can have just a general unwell feeling, aches and pains, sometimes headaches, a bit of nausea, if at all.
"It's usually for 24 or 48 hours and you're back to normal.
Grey nomads take up vaccine opportunity
Grey nomad Valda Lavender has been visiting the Clermont community for 22 years and stopped into the pharmacy to receive her second dose of AstraZeneca.
"My hubby likes the gold detecting and I love the weather and the social life up here," she said.
"It's fantastic that I don't have to wait until I get back to Melbourne to have it.
"If it wasn't here and I couldn't get it done here at the hospital, unfortunately, I wouldn't have had that second one until I get back to Melbourne."
For John Burnett, while this first week of vaccinations is welcome, he wants to see more people come out and get their shot.
"I'll feel a sense of relief when we have 70 or 80 per cent of the community vaccinated," he said.
