On Thursday morning, January 7 2021 - 91-year-old (Ellen ) Agnes Bourke from Rathall, Crossmolina was the first resident at the St Augusitne's Community Nursing Unit in Ballina to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
She received the vaccine alongside her fellow residents and healthcare workers from the residental unit. On receipt of the Pfizer vaccine, Agnes stated: "Having got the vaccine today, we might have our visitors coming back in again to see us and that means a big lot.
"I miss all my visitors and I miss going out – I used to go out and I miss that in a big way. We don’t get out now at all. I could get over to my niece and everything so I miss that.
"In 2021 I hope the best with God’s help that he is looking down on us and the injection should be doing us good. It was very easy – it didn’t hurt a bit."
"Agnes had a message for us all in the community: "I hope you all get it done before too long, it is worth it. It’s worth it if we get rid of this virus."
All staff and residents vaccinated were given a HSE vaccine information leaflet, along with more detailed manufacturer’s patient information leaflet, before getting the vaccine. A total of 66 staff and residents were vaccinated today.
Afterwards, each person vaccinated was given a vaccine record card, showing the name and batch of the vaccine they have received. They will each receive a second dose, to be fully protected, in three weeks.
This marks the beginning of Community Healthcare Wests’ Covid-19 vaccination campaign in residential facilities in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. In accordance with the priority list for vaccination set out by the country, residents aged over 65 in long-term care are among the first to receive the vaccine.
The comprehensive Covid-19 vaccination programme across Community Healthcare West will see our teams vaccinate residents and staff at more than 100 locations.
In long stay residential facilities for Older Persons, our vaccination teams will travel to 66 private nursing homes and 20 residential facilities run by Community Healthcare West to vaccinate residents and staff.
The vaccinator teams will be giving vaccines at each of those locations, making two separate visits, three weeks apart to provide dose one and two.
Next week commencing January 11, a further 18 residential facilities will receive their vaccine with the remainder over the coming weeks up to the end of February 2021.
Mary Murphy, director of nursing at Merlin Park CNU highlighted: "There is much excitement and a palpable relief within the unit after everyone received the vaccine today. There is a sense of relief and hope among the residents, their families and our staff for a better, brighter 2021."
Breda Crehan-Roche, chief officer, Community Healthcare West stated: "Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, we have endeavoured to protect and support the most vulnerable in our communities. Today was a momentous day.
"I want to extend my thanks to those who are committed to caring for our most vulnerable, ensuring they are kept as safe as possible. Thanks also to our Peer Vaccination team for the roll out of the vaccination programme.
"We all still need to be mindful and continue to follow HSE and Public Health advice, Covid-19 is still being transmitted in our communities - we need to stay alert, play our part, wear a mask, stay apart. However, now that we have the Covid-19 vaccine, there is indeed hope and light at the end of a very dark few months."
