Albany army veteran calls on Australians to roll up their sleeves and join the fight against COVID-19

Australian Army veteran Timothy D’Arcy is calling on his fellow Albany residents to roll up their sleeves and join the fight against COVID-19.

Mr D’Arcy became one of the first people in the Great Southern to receive a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine yesterday.

The 85-year-old will need a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least 21 days later to complete his vaccination schedule.

The vaccine was administered at Baptistcare Bethel in Yakamia, with other aged-care facilities in the Great Southern joining the vaccine rollout this week.

Mr D’Arcy served with the Royal Australian Regiment in Malaysia from 1955 to 1957.

The former gunner said he had many jabs during his active service in the Malayan Emergency.

Back then, he had faith that the Australian Government’s vaccine program was implemented to keep people safe.

He feels the same way now about COVID-19 vaccines.

Mr D’Arcy has urged Australians to join the fight against the pandemic that has killed millions worldwide.

“If we want our country and our world to go back to normal we all need to step up and get vaccinated against COVID-19,” he said.

His fellow Baptistcare Bethel resident Stephanie Bell also had her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine yesterday.

At the age of 92, Ms Bell smiled and gave a thumbs up as she received the jab.

Baptistcare chief executive Russell Bricknell said facilitating the rollout of the vaccines on-site was key to keeping the people in their care safe and healthy.

“It is pleasing to see so many residents wanting to receive the jabs as soon as they have become available,” he said.