93-year-old is first to receive vaccine in Westmeath

Beryl Gaye, a 93-year-old-woman from Mullingar this morning become the first person in a Westmeath Nursing Home to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Beryl’s vaccine was the first Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to be administered by vaccinators at Bethany House Nursing Home, Tyrrellspass.

Beryl said today: “I’m delighted to receive the vaccine today and feel very privileged to be the first person in Westmeath to be vaccinated against Covid-19. To now have a vaccine is a great source of relief and hope, not just for me, but people all over the country. I’m so grateful to everyone here in Bethany House for looking after us so well and keeping us safe from this awful virus.”

Beryl was given a HSE vaccine information leaflet, along with more detailed manufacturer’s patient information leaflet, before getting the vaccine. Afterwards, each person vaccinated was given a vaccine record card, showing the name and batch of the vaccine they have received. They will each return for their second dose, to be fully protected, in three weeks.

Sarah McBride, Chief Officer of Midlands Louth Meath Community Healthcare Organisation said: “This is a day of hope for a better future. It is a good day for the residents and staff of Bethany Nursing Home and we are delighted that we can start rolling out the vaccine for our community. I would particularly like to thank all of the healthcare workers in Midlands Louth Meath who worked tirelessly to make this day possible.

"I would also like to thank healthcare staff who have worked so hard at the frontline over the past year to protect our community from Covid-19 and support those who were affected by the virus. While today does offer us hope for a better future, it is important that we continue to adhere with all of necessary guidelines to keep safe while the vaccine is being rolled out over the coming weeks and months. It is important to remember that by wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distancing and practising good hand hygiene, you’re supporting frontline workers to maintain essential health services for the people of Midlands Louth Meath.”

David Corboy, Managing Director, and Madeline Corboy, Person In Charge of Bethany House Nursing Home said: “This is a great day for Beryl and her family and all our residents and staff. Since March 1, 2020 our residents staff and residents families have been living in fear and preparing for all the worst case scenarios that Covid 19 could bring to our door, they have been separated from their loved ones for almost a year and they have paid a heavy price, we are proud to say that due to the fantastic efforts of our team here in Bethany House we have managed to keep COVID-19 outside the door.

"Now as we vaccinate today we start to build the wall of protection for our residents and staff and we look forward to 2021 and in due course the return of our old normal.”

Worldwide, vaccines save at least 2-3 million lives each year – and protect many more from crippling and lifelong illnesses. Only COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorised by the European Medicines Agency, having met stringent safety and effectiveness standards, will be used in Ireland. All COVID-19 vaccines will be carefully monitored over time and updated safety data and information will be published and shared by the HSE, on their website and in printed information materials.

Everyone can find factual, up-to-date information, based on scientific evidence on:

www.hse.ie/covid19vaccine

www.gov.ie/covid19vaccine

www.hpra.ie

http://www.who.int