We all know health staff have been the heroes of this pandemic and on Monday, as the first children aged 5 to 11 years lined up for their jab at the Wollongong Mass Vaccination Centre, our local workers showed their true colours yet again.
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Masks and needles are scary for little ones, and COVID-19 weighs heavily on small people too, so in an effort to put kids at ease staff decked themselves out in bright colours; in wigs, tutus and stripey socks.
Balloons lined the entrance of the otherwise clinical hub as everyone made an effort to make the experience just a bit less intimidating for their young charges.
There were some tears from children in the queue, and no doubt anxiety from parents, yet mostly relief that the young can now access that layer of protection against the ever spreading Omicron - and other - COVID strains.
Wollongong's mass vaccination centre will have enough supply for 200 children a day, and while there's been talk of a delay in supply, many of the region's GPs went ahead with shots for kids yesterday too.
With a recommended eight-week gap between this and their second dose, no child will be fully protected prior to returning to school but it's a start.
We're continually told we have to learn to "live with COVID-19", but with that must come the chance for everyone to best protect themselves.
What was great to see yesterday, was that along with the jab came a healthy dose of kindness from staff. And it was appreciated.
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