The roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination campaign commenced in Portiuncula University Hospital this past week with Louise Ann McGrath, Clinical Nurse Manager 2, St John’s Ward being the first staff member in the hospital to receive the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine.
Louise received the vaccine from her nursing colleague, Mary Barrett, Assistant Director of Nursing and Peer Vaccinator. Over the coming weeks the vaccination programme will be extended across the hospital and community services with over 500 staff receiving their vaccination as this week concludes.
“I am delighted to get this vaccine today which will offer protection from Covid-19 and from the serious complications it can cause. I have worked in Portiuncula University Hospital for over 20 years and am currently the Clinical Nurse Manager working in St John’s Ward which has been treating suspect and confirmed Covid-19 patients since the onset of the pandemic.
“We have seen the devastating effect of this infection on our patients and their families and 2020 was a really difficult year for everyone working in the health services. As we begin a new year, it is really positive to see the start of the Covid-19 vaccination campaign,” Louise Ann said.
“Everyone in Portiuncula University Hospital is delighted to see the commencement of this vaccination programme here on site today. Our plan today is to provide the vaccine to staff on the COVID-19 wards, the Emergency Department and ICU. Over the coming days and weeks we will be rolling out the vaccine across the entire hospital. After a really difficult year we are delighted that this vital vaccination programme has begun here in Portiuncula University Hospital,” James Keane Hospital Manager at Portiuncula University Hospital, stated.
Marita Fogarty, Director of Nursing at Portiuncula University Hospital whose team is delivering the Covid-19 vaccine campaign across the hospital noted an air of positivity as the vaccination programme started.
“The calendar year 2020 has been a very difficult year for everyone including health care staff. Today is a really positive day and I want to thank our peer vaccination team here in Portiuncula University Hospital for their commitment to rolling out this essential vaccine. This vaccine will be provided via two doses. Information will be provided to each person who receives the vaccine explaining the process to them, including the requirement to receive a second dose of this vaccine in 3 weeks. While the vaccine is not mandatory, it is recommended that everyone gets the vaccine when it is offered to them. Getting a Covid-19 vaccine should protect from the serious complications of the virus and reduce the illness and deaths caused by this virus,” Marita commented.
Commenting Tony Canavan CEO of the Saolta Group which has overall responsibility for the acute hospitals and the west and north west, noted the importance of the vaccination programme to all frontline staff working at Portiuncula University Hospital.
“Today is a really important day for Portiuncula University Hospital and we are delighted that we have commenced the roll-out of this critical vaccination programme in the hospital. The vaccines will be delivered in stages and we will be extending the vaccination programme across the entire hospital over the coming weeks as we receive vaccine supply. This is a huge vaccination programme and our priority it to provide it to our staff as quickly as possible in the safest possible manner,” Tony emphasised.
