Nicola McGlynn, Clinical Lead, with the Covid Mobile Vaccination Unit, which will be operating on the grounds of the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, this Friday.

First mobile Covid vaccination unit for Midlands

The first mobile vaccination unit to operate in the Midlands will be in operation on the grounds of the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore on Friday, February 24, from 11am to 3pm, serving Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Longford.

On Friday the Laois Offaly Community vaccination team will welcome all persons 12 years and older who are eligible for Covid 19 booster doses.

The HSE has introduced this unit to allow the Community Vaccination Centres to outreach its vaccination programme to the general public which includes all persons 12 years and older and healthcare workers.

The mobile vaccination unit will be run by the Cho8 Community Vaccination Centres with a team of qualified vaccinators and nurses operating the unit.

The unit will be available to operate in other locations including hospitals, primary care centres, sports grounds, shopping centres and workplaces in order to meet the demands of the public.

Helena Tynan, Operations Manager for the Laois Offaly Community Vaccination Centre, said: “It is so important that everyone keep up to date with their COVID 19 vaccines even if you are already vaccinated or if you have had COVID 19. The Mobile Vaccination Unit will allow us to go into the community, at different locations and times to facilitate greater accessibility for the vaccination programme."

The mobile vaccination unit team will accept invitations from any organisation or companies to attend their premises to facilitate staff and the general public. If you would like the vaccination mobile unit to come to you or for further information please contact the vaccination team on email. CHO8.MVU@hse.ie.

Nicola McGlynn, the Clinical Lead for the Laois Offaly Vaccination Centre, said: “The protection from previous vaccination or immunity from COVID 19 may weaken over time. Without a vaccine, you maybe at higher risk of severe disease if you get COVID 19 and may require hospitalisation. A booster can prevent this.”

This is a continuation of the HSE’s highly -successful Covid 19 vaccination program and aims ensure that the vaccination program is more accessible within the wider communities of Laois and Offaly

Over the coming weeks the mobile unit will aim to operate at convenient locations to allow people to access the vaccinations offered to them by the HSE.