2021 REWIND: 'Fantastic day' at Portlaoise Hospital as vaccination starts

A staff nurse at Portlaoise's busy Emergency Department (ED/A&E) was the first person to be vaccinated for Covid-19 in Laois in the first weeks of January.

Aidel Aurel Casabar received the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise on Thursday, January 7. She was vaccinated by her colleague Mary Gilligan, Clinical Placement Co-ordinator.

Staff vaccinations started the same day when the first batch of 200 doses arrived at the Laois hospital. Plans were also in place to deliver the first dose of the vaccine to all staff.

The HSE said that a peer vaccination team of up to 20 nurses would vaccinate staff Monday to Saturday ensuring that all personnel are protected in a planned and timely way.

Mr. Michael Knowles is General Manager, Midland Regional Hospital Portlaois which is busy with Covid-19 patients. “Covid-19 has been extremely challenging for our staff and continued service delivery.

“The beginning of our vaccination programme is very encouraging and marks a dawning of a new year for us all. Staff are being offered the Pfizer BioNTech Covid19 vaccine and we would hope to be in a position to vaccinate all staff in the coming weeks, dependent on the vaccine availability.

Ms. Sandra McCarthy, Director of Nursing, appealed for the public's support. “We truly find hope today as we begin this vaccination campaign. Staff have worked so hard to care for their patients throughout this pandemic and are very tired.

“Covid-19 has been unrelenting but the end is in sight. We need everyone to play their part, stay at home and stay safe,” she said.

At the end of day one she thanked and praised staff. “What a fantastic day in MRH Portlaoise. I am immensely proud of the nursing vaccination team who commenced the administration of the COVID -19 vaccine. It was only possible with support from all departments; particularly pharmacy,” she said.

She thanked Fiona Moore and Nicola McGlynn for their leadership in getting the vaccine clinic established in record time.

Portlaoise is part of the Dublin Midland Hospital Group which includes hospitals in Tullamore, Naas, and in Dublin - Tallaght, St James's, the Coombe and St Lukes.

Vaccination was also underway of staff at all hospitals. Mr. Trevor O’Callaghan CEO Dublin Midlands Hospital Group spoke of the importance of the vaccination programme to hospitals.

“The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group is very pleased to see the continued roll out of this vaccine in our hospitals following the first vaccine in St James Hospital.We have been extensively planning with hospitals and their vaccination teams to coordinate the supply of the available vaccine and ensure all frontline staff within the hospital group can be vaccinated in a timely way.

“Earlier last week, the vaccination programme was successfully launched in Tallaght University Hospital, the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital and Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore.

“The vaccine programme was launched in Naas General Hospital, the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and St Luke's Radiation Oncology Network.

“The Group is also working with Community Health Organisation partners to include prioritised community health frontline workers as part of the vaccination roll out,” he said.

Ms. Eileen Whelan, Chief Director of Nursing at Dublin Midlands Hospital Group spoke about the importance of vaccination. “Vaccinations work, and vaccination is key to ensuring patient and staff safety during the Covid 19 pandemic.

“Our vaccination teams have a wealth of experience across all our hospitals to commence the roll out of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.

“We would like to acknowledge all the work that has been undertaken so far and we will continue to build on our capacity to fully complete this programme ensuring our staff are fully protected,” she said.

The HSE said that worldwide, vaccines save at least 2-3 million lives each year – and protect many more from crippling and lifelong illnesses.

“Only COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorised by the European Medicines Agency, having met stringent safety and effectiveness standards, will be used in Ireland.