'This is the day we've been waiting for'

First in the door is 85-year-old Sadie Beattie. She arrives with her son Reuben, and walks into the marquee vaccination centre arm-in-arm with Dr Loptien.

Dr Dara Hume is ecstatic.

Today (Friday, February 26) marked D-day, or perhaps more apt, 'V-day', for the practice she shares at Drumalee Cross.

She's standing outside soaking in the apricity of this still chilly winter morning. Dr Hume is awaiting her first patient of the day.

“This is as important as it gets,” she stresses to The Anglo-Celt, as the over 85s are among the “most vulnerable” if exposed to the Covid virus.

More than 20,000 mRNA vaccines were delivered to GPs in more than 100 practices across 20 counties this week. This number is expected to double next week as this three-week programme to vaccinate everyone over 85 ramps up nationally.

The large marquee in the front yard is divided into three sections. The first is for patients as they register. The second is where Dr Hume and her practice partner Dr Dagmar Loptien will deliver vaccines. The third is where those who have received their vaccinations will be observed for potential side-effects before going home.

At Drumalee Cross the patients receive a dose of the two-shot Pfizer vaccine.

First in the door is 85-year-old Sadie Beattie. She arrives with her son Reuben, and walks into the marquee vaccination centre arm-in-arm with Dr Loptien.

Each of the nine vaccine batches received by Drumalee Cross contain six doses.

It was enough to line up 51 patients and have several more in reserve.

Some of those arriving for their vaccination haven't been outside the door for much of the past 12-months.

To Sadie, being vaccinated, is the opportunity to begin living her life again.

“That's what I hope,” she tells the Celt.

“There's been singing,” reports Dr Hume of the prevailing mood at the practice as patients arrive throughout the morning. “Everyone is happy, there's a lot of relief out there, from the public and ourselves at the practice.”