Nearly 900 people lined up and rolled up their sleeves over two days at Cowra's pop-up COVID vaccination clinic last week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A joint effort by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD), the pop-up clinic was held last Friday and Saturday at the Cowra Showground Pavilion.
According to Cowra Council, 425 people were vaccinated on Friday, while Saturday's efforts saw maximum capacity reached with 456 people getting either a dose of Pfizer or AstraZeneca.
Cowra resident Sharon D'Elboux, who received her first dose of a vaccine on Friday, said the pop-up clinic was a wonderful solution to increase vaccination rates in Cowra.
"An opportunity for all of us to be able to be vaccinated and to give us the access that we need to get the vaccinations," she said.
"I feel that I'm on my way of getting the protection against COVID.
"It's a wonderful feeling to know that I've got my first vaccination."
Sharon said seeing the impact of COVID not only across the state, but in Australia and the rest of the world was an important reason for her to get vaccinated.
"I think the statistics speak for themselves," she said.
"For the country and the world to move forward, we all have to do our part and I think vaccination is that.
"We can't continue in lockdown and as a result, here I am today doing my part as a community member in Cowra."
Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, attended the clinic on Friday and said the work of the ADF and WNSWLHD gave residents more options for vaccination.
"The walk in clinics are a fantastic initiative, a great opportunity to make the vaccine readily accessible for people not just from Cowra but right across the district," she said.
"I must say, it really does compliment the work of the Cowra Medical Centre who, since the very start of the vaccination program, week in, week out have literally jabbed thousands and thousands of people, they have done an incredible job and continue to do so every single day.
"We're so fortunate in Cowra to have that facility and to have the work of the doctors and nurses that work with the Cowra Medical Centre."
Ms Cooke said getting jabs into residents' arms was the key to getting out of lockdown.
"This initiative here today, over the two days, is just an opportunity to really surge those vaccination rates and it's just great to see so many people turn out," she said.
"At the end of the day, we need everyone across rural and regional NSW to step forward for vaccination.
"It's our ticket to freedom and I'd encourage everyone, whether it's through an initiative or through their GP, through the Cowra Medical Centre and going forward through the pharmacies as they roll out.
"There's plenty of opportunities for people to get vaccinated in rural and regional NSW, particularly across the Central West.
"My message to people is please, for the sake of yourself and your health, and your friends and your family and the broader community, and those who are vulnerable, please step forward for vaccination."
The clinic will return to Cowra on September 24 and 25.