Vaccine centres aim for 88,000 doses a week
CORK’S five Covid-19 vaccination centres will deliver 88,000 doses per week, starting on March 15.
That ambitious figure was confirmed to this paper this week by a HSE spokesperson.
The centres have been earmarked for Cork City Hall, which will have 30 bays; Munster Technical University (CIT), which will have 40; Páirc Uí Chaoimh (30); Mallow GAA Centre (15); and a West Cork centre alternating between Bantry and Clonakilty (15).
However, the HSE spokesperson also said: “It’s important to note that these centres will not be operational until the availability of vaccine increases.
“Vaccine roll-out plans must be flexible to accommodate unforeseen events and to operate in what is an evolving situation internationally.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday night Cork’s 14-day incidence rate per 100,000 population was 61.2, far below the national average of 199.4 and second lowest in the country. There were just 19 new cases announced in Cork, which has a five-day rolling average of 23 per day.
AN ambitious target of almost 88,000 vaccine doses a week has been set by the HSE for five vaccination centres which are aimed to be open throughout County Cork on March 15.
The centres have been earmarked for Cork City Hall, which will have 30 bays; Munster Technical University (CIT), which will have 40; Páirc Uí Chaoimh (30); Mallow GAA Centre (15); and a West Cork centre alternating between Bantry and Clonakilty (15).
The aim is to deliver eight vaccine doses per hour over a 12-hour day in each of the 130 bays, and that this would continue seven days a week. By this count, up to 1,040 doses an hour would be delivered; 12,480 per day and 87,360 vaccinations every week.
This information was delivered last week to members of the HSE South (Cork Kerry) Health Forum.
After follow-up queries from The Corkman this week, a HSE spokesperson confirmed:
“The HSE is working to establish a number of vaccination centres for the general public across Cork and Kerry in the coming weeks and months.
“It’s important to note that these centres will not be operational until the availability of vaccine increases.
“Vaccine rollout plans must be flexible to accommodate unforeseen events and to operate in what is an evolving situation internationally.
“In Cork and Kerry, the vaccination centres will be established as a joint project between the South/South West Hospital Group and Cork Kerry Community Healthcare.”
The spokesperson said that work was underway now to ensure that the centres would be ready as soon as the vaccine
supplies were in place.
“Based on current information, vaccine supply for the country is forecast to reach a peak in Quarter 2, 2021.
“The centres vary in size and their operating hours will be based on vaccine supply and catchment area need. They will run on an appointment-only basis.
“Identifying, equipping and staffing these vaccination centres is a considerable undertaking, and we would like to sincerely thank all of the staff who are working so hard to make these vital centres a reality in a short space of time.”