IT’S THE LUCK OF THE DRAW AS SOME OVER-60s GET JAB BEFORE THE OVER-80s
PEOPLE aged 60 with no underlying health conditions have received their first Covid vaccines in some rural areas while over-80s still await their first doses elsewhere.
The Irish Mail on Sunday has spoken to people aged 60 and 61 in counties Galway and Clare, who received their first vaccination up to two weeks ago.
GPs in Mayo and Kerry, have also been dispensing Covid vaccines to people in their sixties contrary to the HSE’s sequencing guidelines.
The HSE says that the vaccine rollout is currently dealing with the over-70s and those with serious underlying health conditions.
However, it admitted yesterday that the people who are currently ineligible for the vaccine have been getting it in ‘remote regions’.
‘We are conscious of the needs of people living in more remote locations including offshore islands and the more peripheral parts of our region, and we will be flexible to make sure that everyone can get this vaccine as quickly and as efficiently as possible.’
A 60-year-old man we spoke to in Co. Galway, said his GP ‘just offered him’ the vaccine and he jumped at the chance.
‘I was delighted. I know there are queues all over the country, so I know I’m lucky.’
A 61-year-old woman in Co. Clare, with no underlying conditions was also offered the vaccine by her GP.
‘I presumed there was extra supply and to be honest I didn’t ask questions. My second one will be coming up in a few weeks.’
The areas have some of the lowest Covid rates in the country.
But in Dublin, which has some of the highest rates, GPs are struggling for supply.
An 81-year-old in Sutton, Co. Dublin, told us that she is still awaiting her first vaccine this week. ‘I had an appointment and they cancelled it and it’s been rescheduled now for Friday,’ said the woman who asked not to be named.
‘I am very anxious to get it and to start living my life again.’
‘It’s not good enough – we deserve better’
A Dublin GP this week said his patients were ‘absolutely devastated’ after his practice was forced to cancel 200 pensioners’ first dose appointments due to rollout delays.
Dr Paul Carroll, from Churchtown Medical in south Dublin, said his practice received 78% less jabs than were expected for their 75 to 80year-old patients.
‘You’d be forgiven for thinking that people decided last week to start vaccinations but they’ve known for a year. It’s just not good enough, we deserve better than this.’
It was a different story in
Sneem, Co. Kerry, yesterday where locals aged 68 onwards received their second dose of the vaccine.
Health clinic manager Julie
Lee Knightly said everyone was
delighted to be so far ahead in the vaccine programme.
‘We are just very lucky, here. The HSE looked at the map and we were lucky to be included in the rollout of the Moderna
vaccine. It keeps for 30 days, unlike the Pfizer which lasts just six hours, so this has really helped us. The youngest person we have vaccinated is 68 and everyone over that age has received their second vaccine now in Sneem.’
The Government continues to insist that all over-70s should have been offered a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by the middle of next month but a lack of supplies has disrupted the rollout to the 75to 79-year age group again this week.
Those between 16 and 69 with a medical condition that puts them at very high risk of severe disease from Covid-19 are also set to receive their jab this week.
But again GPs were reporting deliveries to their practices were falling short of those required for this age group.
The Government has committed to 80% of the country’s adults having had their jabs by the end of June. Taoiseach Micheál
STEALING A MARCH: Ellen and John Flanagan reap the benefits of Sneem’s early vaccinations
Martin said this week that 60% of Ireland’s adults should be fully vaccinated by June and 82% will have received one dose by the same date.
However, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly this week added the big caveat that this is ‘unfortunately completely reliant’ on vaccine deliveries in the coming months.
He told the Dáil that 1.1 million doses of vaccine from three companies would be received by the end of March and that a fourth company Janssen would begin supplying vaccines in April.
But the co-leader of the Social Democrats said that only 680,000 vaccines had been provided by the first three weeks of March.
Róisín Shortall said there is ‘a huge gap to make up there if we’re to reach that target’ and that she could not see how it could be achieved.
It comes as the fiasco of Irish people desperately trying to access vaccines in Northern
‘The HSE is committed to over-70s getting vaccine’
ireland made international headlines this week.
While more than half the population there has now been offered a vaccine, Ireland has given a first dose to just over 10% of the population.
Meanwhile, the HSE says it will continue to ensure people in rural areas are not overlooked.
‘The HSE is committed to ensuring all over-70s patients gain access to the vaccine as required, including those living in remote locations.
‘Work is ongoing involving all relevant stakeholders to ensure the various arrangements are in place as required. Work is also ongoing to ensure that all remaining islands and remote locations are appropriately addressed.
‘Since the beginning of March the HSE along with local GPs facilitated the vaccination of people aged over 70 on
Arranmore and on Tory Island off the coast of Donegal, and to Clare Island, and to three other islands adjacent to Clare Island.’