Healthcare workers rolled up their sleeves to receive the first jabs of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital Vaccination Hub.

The Hornsby Vaccination Hub is one the latest hospitals set up to provide vaccinations to health care workers as part of phase 1b of the vaccine rollout.

Northern Sydney Local Health District Director of Aboriginal Health Peter Shine was the first to receive the vaccine in northern Sydney.

He said it was important for everyone able to be vaccinated to do so in order to protect each other from COVID-19.

“I was excited to roll up my sleeve this morning and play my part in helping to protect our community, and I would encourage everyone to do the same,” Peter said.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are an at-risk group when it comes to COVID-19, so being vaccinated is the best thing you can do for yourself and your mob."

Northern Sydney Local Health District A/Chief Executive Dr Tamsin Waterhouse said opening the hub was an exciting time for staff and the broader community.

“The Hornsby Vaccination Hub is an important milestone for our district and NSW as we continue to rally against COVID-19,” Tamsin said.

“A number of staff across our district have been affected by COVID both personally and professionally, so it is really rewarding to see them get vaccinated and further protect themselves from the virus.”

The first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been imported from overseas, but ongoing supply will be manufactured here in Australia.

Both the Pfizer/BioNTech and the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines are very good at protecting against severe illness and death, which is great news for all Australians.

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine will be given to people in two doses.

As of June 2021, the general public aged 60 and over are able to receive their AstraZeneca vaccine at the Hornsby Hospital COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic. Appointments are essential. To make your booking and for more information on the clinic, including its location, please click here.