Fine Gael TD, Alan Dillon, is calling on the HSE Public Health team, Community Healthcare West and the Saolta group to provide a Covid vaccination hub for the people of North Mayo.
Deputy Dillon said: "The confirmation that Breaffy House Woods Hotel, Sports Arena, in Castlebar, has been selected as the primary vaccine centre in Mayo for the Covid-19 vaccination programme, is a positive development for the capital town and surrounding areas. Ease of access, population density, transport and parking have all been assessed as part of this selection process."
However, Deputy Dillon added: "Given the geographical spread of the county, limited public transport and the approximate two-hour round trip from Belmullet, which some communities will have to face and had to endure as a result of the Covid test centre being located in Castlebar, I think it would be strategically important for the HSE to provide another mass Covid-19 vaccination centre in North Mayo.
"I have written to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, and the HSE, to prioritise North Mayo for a second vaccination centre. The past few months have been extremely difficult for the people living in North Mayo, where high levels of the virus have been detected. Placing a vaccine hub in the North Mayo area will demonstrate a significant gesture of solidarity to the local residents and I’m determined to see it happen."
Deputy Dillon concluded: "In the coming months, supply will increase substantially and we will see these centres operating to full capacity and administering vaccines to the general population. We must ensure these centres are planned properly and ready well in advance of the vaccine supply."
