A Launceston nurse has become the first person in Northern Tasmania to receive the COVID-19 jab.
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It was only fitting that Robyn Hayes, who is the nurse unit manager of the acute medical unit, was the first to receive the Pfizer vaccine on Monday morning at the hospital's new vaccination hub.
Mrs Hayes was among those frontline workers who stepped up during the North-West coronavirus outbreak in April - a time that she described as challenging.
"We had lots of support from people all around the hospital and we got there," she said.
But the quick turnaround of a vaccine has come as a relief, she said, with the hope of "never having to go through it again".
"There is still a bit of apprehension and people are watching what is happening, but it is a light at the end of the tunnel," she said.
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"It is the best chance to get rid of the virus and return things back to normality for everyone - and that's worldwide.
"I would encourage anyone to have it done, it's our best chance at getting rid of this COVID and it is a good thank you to everyone who has done the hard work."
Launceston General Hospital's COVID vaccination clinic started administering Pfizer vaccines today.
Health Department secretary Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said the goal is to administer 1170 vaccines in the first week to healthcare and hotel quarantine workers. On the first day alone, 290 vaccines should be administered.
As for the AstraZeneca vaccine, Ms Morgan-Wicks said a state run clinic will open at the Mersey Community Hospital on March 19.
Meanwhile, she said the state's health department is also keeping "a careful eye" on developments in Brisbane and Sydney.
All recent arrivals in Tasmania from Sydney and Brisbane are being contacted to advise them of potential exposure sites, which contact-tracing in NSW has identified.
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