Australia’s first vaccine recipient caused a stir yesterday. Now she’s made some new admissions that will be embarrassing for the PM. Video / Sky News Au
The first person to receive a Covid-19 vaccine in Australia has repeated an obscene gesture live on television and admitted she did not recognise prime minister Scott Morrison.
Morrison sat alongside Jane Malysiak on Sunday, as the 84-year old received the first Covid-19 vaccine administered in Australia.
But the historic moment descended in hilarity when Ms Malysiak, a Polish-born World War II survivor, accidentally flipped off a room full of journalists after receiving the jab.
The PM encouraged Ms Malysiak to flash the peace sign for the cameras, saying it meant "V for vaccine".
She obliged, but turned her hand the other way, which has a very different meaning.
After the room erupted with laughter, Morrison pushed Jane's hand down saying "always front, always front".
While the photo op went a little awry, the awkwardness for Morrison continued on Monday when Ms Malysiak admitted live on Sky News she did not realise it was the Prime Minister sitting next to her when she received the vaccine.
"I did not recognise him until later on, when I asked 'Where is the prime minister?'," she said.
Scott Morrison receives the Covid-19 vaccine. Photo / Twitter: Chris Reason
"If the prime minister is watching, I'm sorry I didn't recognise you, but you're very nice.
"Much nicer than on television.
"I was very, very happy to meet you."
Host Laura Jayes asked Ms Malysiak whether she had mastered the correct "V for vaccine" gesture overnight.
"No, I haven't," she replied.
"Well, I won't ask you to do it again," Jayes said.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, watches as Sarah Fletcher is taken through procedure of receiving a vaccine at the Sydney local health district vaccination hub. Photo / AP
"I'll do it again, always the wrong way," Ms Malysiak replied, before repeating the gesture correctly down the barrel.
"I've never known about it, so now I've learned something."
Ms Malysiak acknowledged her mistake.
"Even then, I did the wrong thing. I showed it this way. Is this the right way?" she asked, repeating the "up yours" gesture.
Millions of people in Queensland and New South Wales have been warned to brace for days without power after Tropical Cyclone Alfred makes landfall later this week.
