Vaccination available for local third level students in Moate next week
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris has announced that vaccination centre will reopen in a number of third level campuses next week.
However, there will not be a vaccination centre at the Athlone campus of the new Technological University of Shannon but facilities will be available at the Moate vaccination centre for third level students from this region.
Pop-up vaccination centres were established across 15 higher education sites two weeks ago. Over 3,000 students received a vaccine with 53% of them receiving their first dose.
Minister Harris said: “Vaccine Week was a huge success with over 3,000 students receiving a vaccine on college campuses. Starting on Monday, we will return to 12 of those sites to ensure those who received their first dose can access their second.
“Importantly, these sites will be open for people to receive their first dose too. We know there are just 8.8% of the adult population who have not been vaccinated, and we know 28% of those are between 17 and 29.
“We have to ensure we do everything we can to offer students the opportunity to get vaccinated, protect themselves and protect their college communities.”
The clinics will be held in:
- Maynooth University
- TU Dublin – Blanchardstown, Grangegorman and Tallaght;
- Dublin City University;
- Trinity College Dublin;
- University of Limerick;
- NUI Galway;
- Munster Technological University;
- University College Cork;
- Technological University of the Shannon Limerick Campus
- Mary Immaculate College
In addition, vaccination centres will be open in Sligo, Letterkenny, UCD, Carlow, Tralee, Dundalk and Moate for students to access.
Welcoming this announcement, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said: "Having been out to the pop-up vaccination centres two weeks ago, I've seen first-hand the fantastic work being done to maximise vaccine uptake, particularly for our younger population. I had the chance to visit the pop-up in Trinity College Dublin and understand the steps being taken to ensure that access to the vaccine is easy and safe."
"We know that the COVID-19 vaccine is an effective way to protect yourself from the most severe effects of the virus. The recent rise in case numbers is a cause for concern but there are ways to protect ourselves & one another - get vaccinated, isolate & get tested if symptomatic (even if you're vaccinated), wear a mask, meet outdoors or in ventilated indoor spaces. You can stop the spread."
Minister Harris met with stakeholders on Friday to discuss the return to on-site teaching, research and study this semester. He confirmed rapid antigen testing pilot would be extended to seven campuses this autumn.
He added: “Rapid testing does not replace our public health advice to wear a mask and keep washing your hands, but it could be an additional weapon in our fight against COVID-19 in the future. Antigen self-testing is performed twice a week and tests can easily be completed yourself at home. After completing your test, you report your results online using the HSE Report Antigen Result website. Regardless of rapid testing, if you do experience any symptoms of COVID-19, even mild symptoms, you will still need to go for a PCR test and restrict your movements. If you do need a PCR test, when you book your test, you will now be asked if this is because you have had a positive antigen test result
“Colleges are asking for volunteers to take part, and I really would encourage staff and students to participate and help us keep rolling out our plans for a safe and sustainable re-opening of campuses and society.”
The sites are the University of Limerick, Waterford Institute of Technology, Dublin Business School, Griffith College, St Nicholas’ Montessori College, Cavan Monaghan ETB’s Further Education and Training Campus in Cavan and Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology.