The HSE National Ambulance Service in conjunction with HSE Public Health Nursing and Dr Whealtey O’Neill yesterday facilitated the vaccination of people aged over 70 years of age on Tory Island.
The first and the oldest islanders on Tory to be vaccinated were William Duggan, aged 88 years and Mary Diver aged 88 years.
William stated “I’m delighted to be received the Covid vaccine today and I urge everyone who is offered this vaccine to take it”.
Sheila Sweeney Public Health Nurse who facilitated on the day stated “This is a great day for Tory and we are happy to be able to facilitate the administration of the vaccine to those vulnerable residents on the Island”.
Dr Therese Wheatley O ‘Neill, GP for Tory Island said “We are delighted to giving the vaccine to those over 70 on Tory Island today as it will protect them from the virus and its effects.”
John Joe McGowan, Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer- Operations – North West administered the vaccine stating “On behalf of the National Ambulance Service we continue to assist with roll out of the vaccine to those communities that are hard to reach “.
The vaccination on Tory was a collaborative approach in conjunction with the GP, National Ambulance Service and Public Health Nursing Service.
Those vaccinated on the Island received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
It is planned to vaccinate the remaining residents on the Island in the coming weeks in line with the governments programme to deliver the vaccine according to the allocation list for priory groups.
The HSE continue to work on the roll out of the vaccine programme as quickly as possible to all those who want it. This will require huge co operations across cross the health services, and across a range of state agencies.
To date we have been somewhat limited by the availability of vaccine Vaccine rollout plans must be flexible to accommodate unforeseen events and to operate in what is an evolving situation internationally.
The HSE say they have committed volumes under the EU’s Advanced Purchase Agreement but the schedule of delivery remains fluid.
