{"id":19874,"date":"2021-02-13T13:55:36","date_gmt":"2021-02-13T17:55:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=19874"},"modified":"2021-02-15T09:58:13","modified_gmt":"2021-02-15T13:58:13","slug":"almost-5000-vaccine-doses-to-be-given-to-staff-at-mass-vaccination-centers-this-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=19874","title":{"rendered":"Almost 5,000 Vaccine Doses To Be Given To Staff At Mass Vaccination Centers This Weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Marie Nangle, a GP from Tullamore, receives her second dose of the Moderna vaccine from Kayte Gamble, a GP registrar, at the GP vaccination clinic in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise (PA Wire\/PA Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>Almost 5,000 Covid-19 vaccines are being administered to doctors and practice nurses at mass vaccination centers across the country this weekend.<\/p>\n

The HSE is hoping that the vast majority of them will have had at least their first dose of the vaccine over the next two days.<\/p>\n

The Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines are being given at centers in Dublin, Portlaoise and Galway, with 1,800 expected to receive their second dose.<\/p>\n

It comes as Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin urged the public to keep their guard up and \u201cprotect the hard won progress as those vaccines are rolled out\u201d.<\/p>\n

Mr Martin said: \u201cThe recent spike in cases has pushed our frontline healthcare workers to the limit. But they have persevered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is hope of better times to come. Cases are falling and vaccines are here.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the next few months we must protect the hard won progress as those vaccines are rolled out, starting with our most vulnerable citizens.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow is not the time to drop our guard. Now is the time to stick to the basics.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among those helping to administer vaccines at the Portlaoise center was Defense Forces doctor, Captain Fiachra Lambe.<\/p>\n

He told the PA news agency: \u201cIt\u2019s really positive. Lots of relief, lots of happiness, lots of people saying that it gives them a bit of hope for the future. It\u2019s a really nice thing to be involved in these days.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s positive, it\u2019s people seeing change in progress and seeing light at the end of the tunnel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Lambe said the center was running quickly and smoothly, and that lessons have been learned about the logistical approach from previous operations.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cIt\u2019s been busy. But there\u2019s been lots of good admin and logistics. I think everybody learned how things did and didn\u2019t work from our last time out.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeaking to all the people coming through, there\u2019s no time wasting. They\u2019re not getting any time to sit down or wait around before they get a vaccine. It\u2019s very productive, very slick.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople have nominated times from their first dose. So the logistical operation has really improved.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Lambe was among eight Defense Forces doctors administering vaccines this weekend.<\/p>\n

Six medical officers were deployed to the centers in Galway, Dublin and Laois to assist with the mass vaccination of GPs.<\/p>\n

Another two were deployed to assist with vaccinations in nursing homes in Dublin and Kildare.<\/p>\n

Tullamore GP Dr Marie Nangle was there to receive her second dose of the vaccine. She said the center at Portlaoise was \u201cvery efficient and well run\u201d.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cIt\u2019s great, it\u2019s really good to have it. I thought it was so efficient. I\u2019m really grateful to everyone who organized it, it was really well run.<\/p>\n

She added: \u201cI didn\u2019t actually have to wait around at all to receive my vaccine.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe went into a cubicle with another health care professional and got the dose.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen there\u2019s a waiting areas being provided by the National Ambulance Service. You wait a prescribed amount of time to make sure there\u2019s no reactions. It was very quick, it was great.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said having the vaccine will make a huge difference to her work.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cIt\u2019s that reassurance, that you\u2019re kind of protected against it. It just makes things a lot easier.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know we still have to wear masks, because they\u2019re a bit unsure about whether you can still transmit it or not.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you definitely feel a lot more confident, dealing with patients on a daily basis when you\u2019ve been vaccinated.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Katye Gamble received her second dose of the vaccine and was also on hand to administer it to the public.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cI think you feel far more reassured going into work yourself, when you\u2019re dealing with patients face to face. It\u2019s reassuring to know that you\u2019re protected.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the IT side of it, and the fact they had similar vaccinators to the last rollout in Portlaoise, the system was flawless today.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt moved very, very quickly and smoothly and there were no waiting times, which was great for the patients.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regina Leonard, a care worker at St Michael\u2019s House in Dublin, said she would now feel much more confident about going to work.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cIt means that I feel more confident and safer in myself, going into my work. I also look after my dad, who has dementia.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter work I didn\u2019t feel confident going in to him, but hopefully now I won\u2019t be passing on anything. And it\u2019s reassuring for my own safety as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just feel so grateful that I was given the opportunity to get it today.\u201d<\/p>\n

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