EVEN before Prime Minister Scott Morrison got the jab on Sunday, it was aged-care resident Jane Malysiak's turn to be part of a moment in history.
The World War II survivor, who is in her 80s, became the first person to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Australia.
The moment was streamed live from the Castle Hill Medical Centre in Sydney. The prime minister sat by her side during the 'historic day' for Australia, which marked an early start for the rollout of the Pfizer vaccination program.
He immediately made the V-for victory sign with his hands and encouraged Ms Malysiak to do the same. The hand gesture almost turned into something with a slightly ruder meaning, which caused witnesses and the press gallery to burst into laughter.
A historical moment for Australia. Jane Malysiak becomes the first person in Australia to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Video: live feed from ABC news pic.twitter.com/YgvpE9c1pB
— Newcastle Herald (@newcastleherald) February 21, 2021
Shortly after Ms Malysiak's jab, Mr Morrison returned from a quick wardrobe change into an Australian sports jersey, to the hot seat for his vaccination.
He joined the Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly and the Chief Nursing Officer Alison McMillan in getting vaccinated as well as healthcare workers.
"Today I put my shoulder to the jab," Prime Minister Morrison said.
"It's safe, it's important, join us.
"Australians, over the course of the next week, can confidently come forward from those key priority groups that have been defined to ensure that we move into this next phase of how we have been dealing with COVID-19.
"The Australian way has proved to be, when you look around the world, one of the most effective there is."
Border and quarantine staff, vaccination teams, aged care residents and workers, and emergency and intensive care workers will be among the first to receive the free Pfizer jab from Monday.
Australians have been encouraged to get ready for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout by:
- create a myGov account and link Medicare
- check your contact details for Medicare are up to date
- view your immunisation history statement.
Newcastle Herald will have more on this later today.
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