Harry Fuller, 18, gets Astrazeneca vaccine to protect himself and Newcastle community from COVID-19

But after the virus made its way back to the Hunter and began to spread through the community - particularly in people about his age - the 18-year-old decided to roll up his sleeve.

"Before it was in Newcastle I wasn't in any rush to go get the vaccine," he said.

"But as soon as it came to Newcastle, I think that was when I started realising it was getting a lot more younger people than the other strains and that's when I was pushed more to get it."

With Pfizer not yet available for his age group, he spoke to a GP, who asked if he understood the risks with AstraZeneca. But for Mr Fuller, the reward far outweighed the risks.

"I wasn't really fussed about AstraZeneca or Pfizer because I saw all statistics about how it is more likely to get struck by lightning than get a blood clot from AstraZeneca," he said.

"Knowing that I can be fully vaccinated and decrease the chances of getting the virus and spreading the virus was way better than the thought of getting blood clots.

"I felt I had to do it for community and it just made me feel better."

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He had his first jab on August 14, and felt a bit sick afterwards.

"I'm not sure if it was because I was nervous, but when I got home I vomited. Later that night I did get the chills, but that all went away pretty quickly when I took some Panadol," he said.

That sick feeling was also quickly surpassed by a sense of satisfaction with his decision.

"I just felt happy in myself and felt like I'm doing my family, my friends and everyone in Newcastle a good deed just contributing to the number going up," he said.

And Thursday's announcement that five fully vaccinated people will be able to gather outdoors in groups of five from September 13 was further justification for getting the jab.

"It made me glad that I booked it in so early because obviously that will be a bonus," he said.

"I think now they've introduced rewards for getting vaccinated that more people will be in a rush to get it."

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