March 9, 2022Today, Northern Health marks one year of our vaccination program.
Over the last year, we have seen many changes to our COVID response as we had to adapt quickly to the ever-evolving situation.
We initially started our vaccination rollout at Northern Hospital Epping, when healthcare workers were prioritised to receive their shots.
In June 2021, Northern Health commenced operating a mass vaccination hub at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre (PRACC) in South Morang, in collaboration with City of Whittlesea, to assist in vaccinating as many community members as possible.
Early this year, we also opened our paediatric vaccination clinic for children aged 5 to 11 years old.
Since the rollout began, Northern Health has provided over 336,000 vaccines to our community – an incredible achievement.
Lisa Cox, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (CNMO), congratulated staff on their fantastic work over the last year, and their significant contribution to protecting our community.
“As CNMO, I am very proud of all Northern Health healthcare workers, including our nurses, who have lead and worked within the COVID vaccination clinics/hubs on site and externally at PRACC over the past 12 months,” she said.
“These staff have contributed tremendously, to not only Northern Health’s COVID response, but collectively with other health services and agencies to Victoria’s COVID response, by providing a timely service to protect all staff, our patients, our community and the State of Victoria.”
“Staff have had to work under an ever-changing environment/conditions and ever-changing timelines, but have always delivered – and with a smile,” Lisa added.
Lisa commended Madelaine Flynn, Director Operations Infection Prevention Service, and her team for overseeing a very successful vaccination program for Northern Health, which has allowed external collaborations to work as partners, providing high-quality and timely vaccinations to staff, patients and community.
Shanice Molinaro, Vaccination Clinic Nurse Unit Manager, said, “It is a privilege and honourable to have been able to be a part of Victoria’s COVID response with the vaccine rollout to assist and support keeping our loved ones and community safe, and contribute to helping our healthcare system.”
“A very big thank you for all of the hard work and efforts by all that have been involved in the COVID vaccination hub the last 12 months. The time, dedication and perseverance has assisted in keeping Victoria safe,” added Shanice.
Featured Image (left to right): Shanice Molinaro, Abbey Gwyther-Jones (Clinical Support Nurse), Maegan Pagunsan (Roster Manager), See Kuan Lee (Immunisation Nurse)
