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BaptistCare Maranoa resident shares her thoughts about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Patricia, one of our residents at BaptistCare Maranoa Centre, tells us why she is opting to have the COVID-19 vaccination that is being offered to aged care residents and staff, as part of phase 1 of the Government's COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

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Ray hennessyunsplash Flower2

07 December 2020

Stories | Aged Care Homes

10 March, 2021

The following interview with BaptistCare resident Patricia took place before the vaccine rollout at BaptistCare’s Maranoa, Alstonville.

Name: Patricia

Age: 87 soon to be 88

How are you feeling ahead of getting the vaccination?
I want to get the vaccination because so many people have worked hard to get it for us and I think it’s very important to have the vaccination done.

What made you want to get the COVID-19 vaccination?
I decided to get the COVID vaccination because I decided it was very important to do the best we can to keep COVID from spreading.

Did you have any doubts or hesitations before putting your hand up to be one of the first people in Australia to have the vaccine?
I did have a few doubts earlier on, that was when America was getting so many deaths and nobody would do anything about the COVID injection, and I thought, ‘Well how many lives would have been saved in America if they had gotten on to doing the vaccination’. And I think it’s important for older people to set an example.

How do you feel to be part of the start of the Phase 1 program rolling out the vaccinations in Australia?
It’s exciting because it’s been a long time coming and then at the end they finally got their act together, and got stuck in, and got the vaccine made. They’ve done so much towards helping us to stay COVID free that we need to do what we can to stop the virus.

How do you feel the vaccination will impact your life and that of those around you?
For one thing, if it stops the virus, I’ll be able to see my family again, often. We’ve been locked down for quite a while, haven’t been out for quite a while and if we can get that done, then maybe things will get back to normal a bit quicker.

What do you family think about you having the vaccine?
They’re happy for me to have it if I want it. And I’m sure they’ll have it too.

Thank you Patricia, for your time and for sharing your thoughts with us.