Two Dublin ladies currently in a social pod together were among the first people to receive the COVID 19 vaccine last week.  Florence O’Reilly, 87 from Cabra, Dublin and Nancy Keogh, 92 from Stoneybatter, received the vaccine at their residence in the Navan Rd Community Nursing Home. Announcing after receiving the vaccine that “injections never bothered me,” Nancy said “its good for you to get the vaccine.  Anything that minds your health is good to get.”

Florence was equally encouraging: “I think its good to get it.”

Eighty year old David Lenihan,  from Nephin Road, and also a resident at the same residence, was first person in HSE Community Healthcare Organisation Dublin North City and County (HSE CHO DNCC) to be vaccinated. David noted that “at 80 years of age, if I can extend my life,  I’ll take it, my children and grandchildren will hopefully be back in to see me.”  In the meantime, David intends to continue with his crosswords.

"Incredible defence"

Caroline Gourley, Director of Nursing working in CHO DNCC,  was the first healthcare worker at the Unit to get the  vaccine: “Vaccination is an incredible defence against disease, and in our struggle with COVID-19, here in the Navan Road Community Nursing Unit, the vaccine has provided a beacon of hope. Like my colleagues, I’m looking forward to the vaccination helping us over time return to some form of normality, which will include visiting for our residents.”

According to Mellany McLoone, Chief Officer CHO DNCC, “We welcome the start of vaccination across CHO DNCC.  This is an important moment in our ongoing response to COVID-19. Our COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will greatly help in managing the transmission in our community. However as vaccination is being implemented on a phased basis, it is important we all as a community continue to maintain good hand hygiene, wear a face-covering as needed, maintain social distance and minimise social contacts.”

 

Essene Cassidy, Head of Older Persons Services added: “Across all of our nursing homes, COVID-19 has been incredibly difficult, directly impacting the day to day life of our residents, their families and our staff, which is why it’s so positive that the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme will work to support them as we move forward into 2021. We thank residents and families for their support and patience at the current time.”

For factual, expert information you can trust on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit: hse.ie/covid19vaccine