NSW's COVID-19 vaccination rate has surged to rank among the fastest in the world, with the state today (August 24) recording its target of six million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine administered.
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In the Shoalhaven, nurses are vaccinating at impressive rates, with nine nurses administering over 1,000 doses of Pfizer into the arms of locals on Saturday, August 21.
The doses were administered at the Worrigee Medical Centre from 1pm to 9pm and the practice is set to administer another 1,000 doses of Pfizer this Saturday, August 28.
Practice Principal of the Shoalhaven Family Medical Centres Annette Pham was brimming with pride at the efficiency of her staff and the attitude of the community.
"It was very fast and efficient. It got to 8pm and everyone kept commenting that we must be very tired, but I was just so hyped. It felt like we were doing our national duty," said Annette.
"There's a big team of people, it's not just on the weekend, because it takes a while to get ready for that amount of people.
"But I do know we're doing a hell of a lot. I am very proud of our team, they've done a wonderful job.
"I'm super impressed at the commitment of the public and their positive attitudes because they know this is the only way out."
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the 6 million vaccination milestone equated to roughly 30 per cent of the population being fully vaccinated and 60 per cent with one dose.
Ms Berejiklian said she was "pleased and grateful" the state had hit the target, and she looked forward to making an announcement on Thursday or Friday about additional freedoms available to fully vaccinated people in the state from September.
While vaccination rates are high, Mrs Pham said there is still a need for the Commonwealth government to provide more Pfizer doses.
"I'd really like if the Commonwealth were able to get us some more vaccines, because we are administering them very efficiently and very effectively," she said.
"I'd really like to see our allocation improved or increased, because we have the space to administer at the rate we are."
The Shoalhaven Family Medical Centres also administer around 1200 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines weekly at their walk-in vaccine clinics.
AstraZeneca is available on Monday's at the Culburra Medical Centre, Tuesday's at the Basin View Medical Centre, Thursday's at the Worrigee Medical Centre and Friday's at the Vincentia Medical Centre.
Pfizer is available on alternate Saturdays at the Vincentia Medical Centre and Worrigee Medical Centre.
Mrs Pham said bookings must be made for Pfizer doses to limit wasting doses.
Vaccines can be booked via hotdoc.com.au.
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Grace Crivellaro
Court reporter for the Illawarra Mercury.
Court reporter for the Illawarra Mercury.
