Eighty-eight-year-old Oakleigh residents, Panagiota and Spiros Houpis gave the thumbs up to getting their first Pfizer vaccination, at an Oakleigh clinic, in Melbourne’s south-east, today Monday 18 October.

The Greek couple were scheduled to get their first vaccination more than two weeks ago, on 2 October, but the appointment was postponed after a household member was notified the day before that their work was a Tier 1 exposure site.

That led to the entire household being tested twice and isolating for 14 days. The couple’s secondary close contacts also had to get tested and isolate until they received their results. All parties tested negative.

Speaking in Greek, Mr and Mrs Houpis encouraged all Victorians, particularly members of the Greek community who can get vaccinated, to get the jab.

READ MORE: Experts’ warnings to Greek Australians as Delta strikes the community

“Why are people here scared of the vaccination?” Mr Houpis asked.

“The president of Greece, Ms Katerina Sakellaropoulou, had the injection. Why shouldn’t we?

“She was the first in Greece.

“Everybody, young and old, should get vaccinated so we can protect ourselves from coronavirus.”

The couple will get their second dose on 8 November.

Panagiota Houpis got the jab. Photo: Dora Houpis

The Greek Community of Melbourne is launching a vaccination hub at the hall, Greek Orthodox Church of “St Demetrius”, at 380 High St, Prahran, from this Wednesday 20 October until Saturday 23 October, between 8am and 6pm.

The Pfizer vaccination is available to those 16 years old and more. The Hellenic Medical Society of Australia will be providing Greek-speaking doctors at the venue.

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Bookings are essential. Go to https://bit.ly/GOCVaxHub or call 9662 2722.

There will be another pop-up vaccination hub in Brunswick, next week.

For further information contact Jorge Menidis on 0422 912 433 or jorge@greekcentre.com.au.