First dose: Shepparton’s Harper Chasmore, 8, was one of the first children aged five to 11 to be vaccinated at the McIntosh Centre. Doses started on Wednesday.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
It was like the first day of school at Shepparton’s McIntosh Centre on Wednesday morning.
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Young children lined up in groups with their parents, and there was a bit of a buzz — a mixture of nerves and excitement.
Once they were inside, the “forest of protection” decorations, colouring book gift bags and hopscotch on the floor helped make them more at home.
Consultation: Dr Chik Chua talking to Jack and his dad at the McIntosh Centre. Registered nurse Stephanie Down is helping in the background.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
For children, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended every aspect of their lives: their schooling, friendships, playing sport and other extra-curricular activities.
Victoria’s vaccination rollout for children aged five to 11 is being billed as a big part of ensuring 2022 doesn’t follow the same path as 2020 and 2021.
Harper Chasmore, 8, was one of the first of about 250 children given their vaccination in Shepparton on Wednesday.
Fist bump: Jack Hume gives Dr Chik Chua a fistbump after the six-year-old had his first vaccination on Wednesday.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
She admitted she had been worried before her vaccination but said she felt “good” after she’d had the jab.
She said the nurses and the design of the vaccination pod had made her feel more at ease, after getting all dressed up for the occasion.
Her mum, Kristen, said she was “relieved” to get the first vaccine dose done for Harper.
"I think what we learn is you need to get them in as fast as you can because things change and schedules change and you want to get it in,“ she said.
“I’ve got two teenage daughters and myself and we’ve been vaccinated here and it’s a really smooth process.”
Add it to the tree: Jack Hume was one of the first to add his name to the tree, opposite the wall where adults stuck their vaccination stickers.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
Jack Hume was one of the second batch of children to visit the McIntosh Centre.
He said he was also “a bit scared” going in, but the nurses made him feel better and he “loved” the decorations.
His mum, Jade, said the way the hub was set up for children was “absolutely brilliant”.
“He was so calm and didn’t even notice the needle going in. We’ve had our own vaccinations here and to see the changes they’ve made, it’s made it so much easier,” Mrs Hume said.
Big smile: Harper Chasmore added her name to the tree, which will soon be full of leaves with the names of children vaccinated at the centre.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
“He was excited and nervous. I think the way they’ve set it up outside to make it a bit of excitement coming through was a bit of a distraction.
“It felt like Jack was going into something exciting. For us as kids it was scary having vaccinations but it wasn’t for him, which was good.”
GV Health nurse Olga Ilic said the hub was set up nicely for children.
“I’m feeling excited we’re getting this started finally,” she said.
GV Health COVID-19 vaccination program manager Alynda Wayman said the morning had started “really well”.
On the hunt: Mika Martin and Zoe Germon entertaining the kids in line at the McIntosh Centre.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
“I think the kids are really liking it,” she said.
“It’s great. It’s a big relief to have it done, a lot of planning in a very short time-frame over a very busy time of year, so hats off to Estelle Houlihan, our child hub specialist, she’s been instrumental.”
She said many parents who hadn’t been able to get a booking would be able to access one online, and urged people to keep an eye on the GV Health Facebook page, where more information would be posted across coming days.
Children’s vaccinations will take place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings during the school holidays at the Vaccination Hub at the McIntosh Centre in Shepparton.
Bookings are essential and can be made by calling 1800 675 398 (and selecting options 1-1-1) or online from January 14 athttps://cvms.powerappsportals.com
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