Kerlogue residents first to receive vaccine

AFTER what’s been a long and a difficult year, there was a renewed optimism at Kerlogue Nursing Home yesterday (Monday) morning, as it became the first nursing home in Co Wexford to see Covid vaccines administered to residents and staff.

Residents and staff are all bearing the scars of an incredibly difficult time. The arrival of the pandemic has meant that residents have been deprived of precious visits from family and friends. Although Kerlogue did have a brush with the virus during the second wave in August, sadly losing one resident, staff and management have coped admirably with the challenges posed and yesterday morning it finally felt like the end was in sight.

A total of five vaccination teams and a doctor arrived yesterday morning with the task of administering jabs to 82 residents and 106 staff, with the goal of being finished today (Tuesday).

‘We’re absolutely relieved to finally reach this point,’ said General Manager Edele Lee Morris. ‘All of the residents consented to it and they are all very much of the mindset that they want to get their lives back. It’s been a long hard year on them and they’re all hopeful that, with the vaccine, they might get to see their families again soon.’

First in line as the vaccination team set up, was 88 yearold Dublin native Billy Brennan - the very first nursing home resident in the county to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. He was looking forward to finally being able to see his family again.

‘I’m here over 12 months now and I miss my family terribly,’ he said. ‘I’ve been looking forward to this vaccine from the day I heard about it. Thank God it’s here. I’m very, very happy and I’m very happy in this wonderful home. It’s a great place and the staff have been excellent. Really I just want to thank them all.’

With nursing home vaccinations beginning slightly ahead of schedule this week, vaccination teams will now be busy travelling to nursing homes across county Wexford over the coming days and weeks and no doubt they will receive a warm welcome wherever they go as residents hope for brighter