The first COVID vaccine was administered on the Border on Wednesday almost a year to the day since the pandemic was declared.
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Front-line healthcare workers made history when they received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccination at the Albury Base Hospital kicking off the Border vaccination hub.
Albury Wodonga Health director of nursing emergency and critical care Clare Maher was the first in line at the make-shift vaccination hub which saw 30 workers vaccinated on day one.
After two weeks the health service will take up residence at the old Coles building in High Street Wodonga where a 36-point vaccination hub has been set up and where up to 1000 people per day can receive the jab.
AWH chief executive Michael Kalimnios it was a "momentous day" for the health service and the community.
"It has been a tremendous effort by all our staff to get this up and running, it has quite a logistical challenge but one we have met and one we will continue to meet over the coming months," he said.
The hub is rolling out the vaccine to those falling under phase 1a, which are health care workers that work in high risk departments, such as emergency and intensive care.
Chief operating officer Emma Poland said they expect to see 100 workers vaccinated by the end of the week.
"It is 365 days to the day from when the World Health Organisation declared a pandemic," she said.
"So it is really exciting and really important for our community that we are starting to deliver our first vaccines in a real effort to keep our community safe."
Albury Wodonga Health did not allow The Border Mail to photograph the first vaccination.
Mr Kalimnios said the hospital has converted their conference rooms at the hospital into six vaccination points.
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"It has been set up on the same basis as we are designing the Coles hub but on a smaller scale," he said.
"We have gone through the process of identifying the category 1a staff and notified them of appointments for the vaccine.
"I think everyone is excited but nervous at the same time, it is the beginning of a significant program for us and it is the first time we have been responsible for a public health unit.
"This vaccine program is a first for Albury Wodonga Health and it is a very exciting time for our community.
"Everyone is keen to get going and deliver the vaccine."
The health service plans to ramp up the number of vaccinations given each week to around 500 before the larger hub in Wodonga opens from March 22.
"We will likely be able to immunise around 1000 a day at the Wodonga hub, given we have the staff but we will be taking it slowly and will see how we go," Mr Kalmnios said.
"Hopefully we will ramp it up when we get to the broader immunsation program, where we will be working very closely with Murray Primary Health Network and GPs and pharmacists that number will be much more significant."
Mr Kalmnios said the program was earmarked to start on Monday but there was a short delay in rolling out the first vaccination due to supply issues.
"We didn't get the vaccines delivered until Tuesday," he said.
"Once the vaccines arrive in Melbourne through the Department of Health they are then allocated to each vaccination hub."
