CASTLEBLAYNEY CENTRE CONTRIBUTES TO “SIGNIFICANT WEEKEND FOR VACCINATION PROGRAMME”

490 people received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at the Glencarn Hotel in Castleblayney over the Bank Holiday weekend as the county’s vaccination centre – which relocated from the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan Town last week – took part in the walk-in clinic initiative put in place at locations across the country. HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid said it had been “a significant weekend for the vaccination programme”, with the success of the walk-in approach – where people could turn up without a prior appointment providing they brought the necessary documentation – outstripping expectations.

Mr Reid praised the high number of young people who had attended, a sentiment endorsed by Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan, who stated: “Young people have had an exceptionally difficult time throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Their willingness to come out to get vaccinated in droves is another example of the resilience they have shown throughout this challenging time. “It is this same spirit of solidarity, commitment to keeping our whole community safe by getting vaccinated, and keeping to the basic safe measures such as staying at home if you feel unwell that will ultimately be our pathway out of this pandemic.”

Damien McCallion, the HSE’s Vaccination Programme National Lead, said the walk-in centre provision, which ended on Monday, might be extended in the future given its success. Nationally over 30,000 people received a first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine over the weekend. The HSE also stated this week that it expected to begin vaccinating children aged between 12 and 15 within the next two weeks. Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry said the HSE was working on some outstanding logistical issues before opening the portal. “We’ve got to prepare the consent forms that parents will need to consider and make the right decision for their child,’’ Dr Henry said. He added that the HSE was also looking…