As the premier urges more older Australians to take up the COVID vaccine, some of our region's youngest adults have stepped up to protect themselves and their community.
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Lincoln, aged 20, and Courtney, aged 18 were part of the first vaccine clinic provided to Shoalhaven Youth and Family Services by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Health District.
While both were initially nervous, they said they felt it was important to do the right thing by their community.
"I felt relieved I was able to get the vaccine, as I've been thinking about it for a while," Courtney said.
"Reading all the rumours that fly around, you can understand why people are nervous.
"But I think it's quite selfish - they're putting themselves and their fears before the community."
Lincoln said before he got the vaccine he was worried about getting the virus and unwittingly spreading it to others.
I think it's quite selfish - they're putting themselves and their fears before the community
- Courtney
He misses hanging out with his friends and family, and knows more Australians getting vaccinated is the way out of lockdown.
"I'd encourage other people to do it - I've felt fine and had no side effects," he said.
Southern Youth and Family Services CEO Narelle Clay said she was immensely proud of the 38 young people who took part in the clinic.
"We know there has been an emphasis on older people getting vaccinated, but we were really worried about vulnerable young people," she said.
"Those who are homeless, have experienced domestic violence or have mental health issues, we were really concerned they weren't being seen as a priority group.
"It's a positive step back toward a normal life for these young people, and we're grateful to Area Health for offering the clinics."
On Friday Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a national COVID-19 vaccination target of 80 per cent will be required for Australia to reopen the nation and end debilitating pandemic restrictions.
Before that, the target that will trigger the start of the graduation easing of restrictions has been set at 70 per cent of vaccinated eligible Australians.
That's seven in every 10 people eligible for the jab receiving both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Just 18.2 per cent of people aged 16 and over have been fully vaccinated.
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