Covid-19 vaccine given to first member of staff at Portiuncula Hospital
The roll-out of Covid-19 vaccinations at Portiuncula Hospital began today (Wednesday) with Louise Ann McGrath, Clinical Nurse Manager 2 at St John's Ward, becoming the first staff member to receive the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine.
Louise received the vaccine from her nursing colleague, Mary Barrett, Assistant Director of Nursing and Peer Vaccinator.
Over the coming weeks, the vaccination programme will be extended across the hospital and community services.
By the end of this week, over 500 staff are expected to have been vaccinated at Portiuncula.
Louse Ann said she was delighted to get the vaccine in order to receive protection from Covid-19 and the serious complications it can cause.
"I have worked in Portiuncula University Hospital for over 20 years and am currently the Clinical Nurse Manager working in St John's Ward which has been treating suspect and confirmed Covid-19 patients since the onset of the pandemic," she said.
"We have seen the devastating effect of this infection on our patients and their families, and 2020 was a really difficult year for everyone working in the health services.
"As we begin a new year, it is really positive to see the start of the Covid-19 vaccination campaign."
James Keane Hospital Manager at Portiuncula University Hospital, said everyone at the hospital was "delighted to see the commencement of this vaccination programme" on site.
"Our plan today is to provide the vaccine to staff on the Covid-19 wards, the Emergency Department and ICU.
"Over the coming days and weeks we will be rolling out the vaccine across the entire hospital. After a really difficult year we are delighted that this vital vaccination programme has begun here in Portiuncula University Hospital."
Marita Fogarty, Director of Nursing at Portiuncula University Hospital, whose team is delivering the Covid-19 vaccine campaign across the hospital, thanked her colleagues for their commitment to rolling out the vaccine.
"This vaccine will be provided via two doses. Information will be provided to each person who receives the vaccine explaining the process to them, including the requirement to receive a second dose of this vaccine in 3 weeks," she said.
"While the vaccine is not mandatory, it is recommended that everyone gets the vaccine when it is offered to them. Getting a Covid-19 vaccine should protect from the serious complications of Covid-19 and reduce the illness and deaths caused by this virus."