Sunday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison received the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, calling the start of the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Morrison received it at a medical center in Sydney's northwest, in what the government said was an effort to boost public confidence in the vaccinations.

A woman in her eighties, Jane Malysiak, was the country's first person to receive the vaccine, followed by health care workers and other officials.

"She's taking part in what is a very historic day for our country," Morrison said.

"Tomorrow our vaccination programme starts, so as a curtain-raiser today we're here making some very important points -- that it's safe, that it's important, and we need to start with those who are most vulnerable and are on the front line."

On Feb. 15, more than 142,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have arrived at Sydney airport.

Also Read: New Zealand begins national COVID-19 vaccination campaign