Portlaoise hospital urges vaccination be top Christmas checklist

Portlaoise hospital is urging the public healthcare workers to get vaccinated against Covid-19 and flu to protect others from infection.

Staff at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise have joined with their hospital counterparts in Tullamore and the Department of Public Health, HSE Dublin & Midlands in the appeal to support healthcare workers to protect themselves and the public.

Ahead of the busy Christmas period the HSE is calling on people who are eligible for a vaccine to prioritise it particularly if you are caring for vulnerable patients or family members.

A joint statement issued by the HSE said  vaccines are safe and effective and they can be given at the same appointment. It it highlighted the importance given the threats from varying viruses including COVID-19 and flu, and rising levels of respiratory infection.

The HSE says dedicated vaccination clinics for healthcare workers are being hosted in the hospitals on an ongoing basis over the coming weeks. All healthcare workers can also avail of both vaccinations for free through their GP or local pharmacy.

Dr Mary Ward is a Consultant in Public Health Medicine for Dublin and Midlands.

“Healthcare staff are up to 10 times more likely to get influenza compared to the general population, and each year the Winter Vaccinations campaign encourages them to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their patients and their families.

"The HSE is also urging the eligible cohorts in the wider community to avail of both winter vaccines, as they are the best protection against flu and COVID-19 this year 

Louisea Burke, Director of Nursing, Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore and Oliva Lafferty, Director of Nursing Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise jointly supported the campaign: 

“We’re encouraging all our hospital staff to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines to protect themselves and the people they care for in their workplace, work colleagues and their loved ones at home. Over the coming weeks, we will be maintaining the focus on access to vaccination clinics for staff in our hospital where both vaccines will be on offer. It is safe and convenient to receive both vaccines at the same time, and I encourage all healthcare staff to avail of this opportunity.”

Eileen Whelan is Chief Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Dublin Midland Hospital Group.

“We know that infection from these viruses can cause serious illness and death, particularly among vulnerable groups. We also know that if there are high levels of virus circulating in the community, then it puts an additional burden on all health services at what is already a busy time of the year. I’m encouraging all healthcare workers to get their COVID-19 and flu vaccines without delay and ensure they are protected as soon as possible,” she said.

The HSE says it only uses vaccines when they meet the required standards of safety and effectiveness and after the European Medicine’s Agency (EMA) has licensed them.