Vaccinations of over 85s met with great enthusiasm

Community vaccinations of the over 85s began in the wider Athlone region last week with huge levels of participation.

There was a 100% turnout of over 85s for the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a medical centre in Moate last Wednesday.

Some 162 patients from The Church Street Medical Centre in Moate and the Old Barracks Surgery, operated by Dr Gerard Fallon, also in the town received their first vaccination dose on Wednesday last at the Church Street Medical Centre.

Dr Michael Curran of the Church Street Medical Centre said every patient contacted arrived for the vaccination, including some over the age of 100 and many in their 90s.

Dr Curran said: “There was unanimous support for the receipt of the vaccine.”

He commented that the prevailing atmosphere was one of joy, with even the frailest of patients determined to attend their vaccination appointment.

Patients were given the Pfizer vaccine and the next batch of patients will be receiving their vaccination dose on Wednesday week, with local GP surgeries being rotated on a fortnightly sequence.

Dr Curran admitted that there had been some concern among GPs nationally about their ability to administer the vaccine, particularly given the nature of the vaccine, and the level of logistical detail involved.

However, he said the operation had run smoothly and was met with great enthusiasm by patients. Nationally, the vaccine rollout in the community is expected to be ramped up in the coming weeks with extra supplies arriving in the country.