Vax rolls out for youngsters

Acting Nurse Unit Manager at Castlemaine Health's vaccination clinic Leanne Nuridin with Alex Sanson and nine-year-old Harlow Sanson after getting his first COVID-19 jab on Wednesday this week as vaccinations for the younger age group began rolling out nation-wide. Photo: Eve Lamb

Eve Lamb

Local children aged 5-11 have turned out in number to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine jabs as the number of officially recorded COVID cases ballooned in Mount Alexander and surrounding municipalities this week.
Children as young as five rolled up their sleeves as Castlemaine Health’s on-site clinic got down to business on Wednesday this week, administering first jabs for the younger age-group.
“It was good – a bit stingy,” is the way young Harlow Sanson, 9, described receiving his first shot.
The Taradale nine-year-old was among the first 50 children in his age group to get their first dose of the vaccine on Day One at the Castlemaine Health clinic set up especially for the younger age group.
Australian children aged five to 11 this week became eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19 with parents rushing to book appointments before the school year returns.
“I was nervous but excited,” said Harlow summing up how he felt while waiting to receive the injection.
With children like Harlow now required to wait eight weeks before they get their second shot of the vaccine, Harlow’s father Alex Sanson said delaying the start of the school year to enable all young students to be vaccinated might be a wise move.
Term one is scheduled to start for students on January 31 – about the time that Victoria’s current rate of infection is forecast to peak. Read more in today’s Mail…

Eve Lamb
Journalist and photographer Eve Lamb has a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) degree from Deakin University and a Master of Arts (Professional Writing) from Deakin University. She has worked for many regional newspapers including the Hamilton Spectator and the Warrnambool Standard, and has also worked for metro daily, The Hobart Mercury, and The Sunday Tasmanian. Eve has also contributed to various magazines including Australian Cyclist.