Swanlinbar receives first batch of COVID 19 vaccination
Delays in the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme to Swanlinbar have been addressed with the announcement that the village has received the first batch of the jab this morning.
Up to today a substantiation number of residents over the age of 85 years in west Cavan had not received their first COVID-19 inoculation.
The matter was raised at a recent Cavan Belturbet Municipal District Meeting by Cllr Sean Smith in a notice of motion. This morning the first batch of the vaccine was delivered to the area.
Cllr John Paul Feeley told the Celt: “Covid-19 Vaccines will be available for patients over 85 in the Swanlinbar GP. The first delivery has been made this morning. It is hoped that most of those over 80 will also get vaccinated in this round. The practice will start arranging appointments as a matter of urgency.”
Cllr Feeley said the vaccination programme in the are should now run smoothly: “It's unfortunately amongst the last practices to get the Vaccine but now that the issues have all been addressed the flow of vaccines should now progress for patients on the same basis as all other practices over the coming weeks.”
“This is most welcome news,” Cllr Smith who raised the matter in the MD meeting, said, “having spoken to a lot of patients, and family members of patients, over the last few weeks, I understand the worry and stress this has caused. Please contact me if you have any further questions or I can be of any assistance.”
The councillors said that the HSE have worked closely to address the requirement for the practice to administer the vaccine including upgrading the defibrillator in the surgery and arranging an agency nurse for the practice to complete the inoculation of patients.
Cllr Feeley said the deliver is the culmination of a lot of effort: "Over the past week to ten days, I have spoken to Brendan Smith TD on at least a daily basis on this matter. He has been in constant contact with the HSE and the Office of the Minister for Health to get this matter resolved. His work has been critical in getting this matter resolved,” he told the Celt.
Deputy Brendan Smith said the announcement was a positive development: “I welcome confirmation from the HSE that the vaccine supply for the Swanlinbar Health Centre will now enable the roll-out of the vaccine programme commencing with the over 85’s. I wish the Doctor In Charge in Swanlinbar and his support staff all the best in this very important work.”