ABC News: Scott Lamond
)Bundaberg nurse Suzanne Smith said she experienced "a very proud moment" when she became Queensland's first recipient of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
The emergency department nurse said she and her colleagues were eager to be vaccinated to help protect the most vulnerable in the community.
"Now it's our time to step up and get vaccinated," Ms Smith said.
"It didn't sting at all and given we look after a vulnerable population, to protect them and ourselves, everyone's very keen to be immunised."
Ms Smith said the elimination of deadly diseases in the past through vaccines underlined the importance of the coronavirus immunisation program.
"My granny was a nurse and she spoke of diphtheria and the toll it took on families," she said.
The Bundaberg vaccination hub has been issued an initial 2,800 doses of the vaccine, with more than 100 jabs expected to be administered within the first week.
ABC News: Scott Lamond
)Bundaberg and Logan first
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services' nursing and midwifery executive director, Fiona Sewell, said leading the Bundaberg rollout had been challenging.
"But today it's all come together and the team here is exceptional," Ms Sewell said.
Today's milestone launch of the AstraZeneca vaccine followed more than 8,000 Pfizer vaccines which had been administered on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Cairns.
AstraZeneca can also be stored more easily than the Pfizer vaccine.
"Pfizer had to be kept at minus 70 degrees, but the AstraZeneca vaccine needs to be kept between two and eight degrees, so our facilities are all appropriately sized and can keep the vaccines cool enough," Ms Sewell said.
Ms Sewell said data loggers would monitor the fridges holding the initial 2,800 doses on site.
"They are locked and secured behind a door that is swipe access only, so they are very secure and are ready to go," she said.
ABC News: Scott Lamond
)More hubs to come
Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath remained confident that more regional sites would soon receive doses of the COVID-19 vaccines.
"There'll be more coming online, when we have certainty of when the vaccine will be arriving and the volumes," Ms D'Ath said.
GPs and pharmacists were being consulted and Ms D'ath has urged the public to be patient.
The current phase was still prioritised for frontline healthcare workers and the aged care sector.
"Your time will come and we will keep you informed as to where and when you can get a vaccination," Ms D'Ath said.
