The first local vaccinations against COVID-19 in public aged care began last Friday.

Residents of the West Gippsland Healthcare Group operated Andrews House aged care at Trafalgar received the injections last Friday and those at Cooinda Lodge at Warragul were vaccinated yesterday.

One of 48 residents at Andrews House to receive the jab, Elaine Smith had no hesitation and was one of the first in line.

“If it protects people and helps get life back to normal, I’m all for it,” Elaine said.

In addition, 105-year-old Lillias Hart gave it the thumbs up saying she didn’t feel a thing.

WGHG chief executive officer Dan Weeks said the roll-out of the vaccination program across Gippsland prioritised residents of state owned and operated aged care facilities.

Mr Weeks said the response from residents at Andrews House was terrific, with 98 per cent of residents having consented to their first vaccine dose.

He said a number of staff that completed the required training were involved in administering the COVID vaccinations at both Andrews House and Cooinda.

Mr Weeks said WGHG was involved in the COVID cluster planning for the region working with the Gippsland Region Public Health Unit.

He said there had been considerable planning already for the eventual vaccination of the group’s staff that is also being coordinated on a regional basis.

However, a timeline and supplies of vaccine for staff are not yet available.