Some surgeries in county still waiting to vaccinate over 85s
WHILE the vaccination of over 85s began in some GP surgeries across Co Wexford last week, others were left disappointed as their deliveries were pushed back.
While medical centres with a larger number of patients over the age of 85 received their vaccinations and began administering them right away, those with a smaller population in that age back were forced to wait a little longer before they get going.
One local GP whose vaccines failed to materialise explained that it was completely dependent on how many patients a medical centre had within the required age category, those who have smaller numbers needing to ‘buddy up’ with other smaller practices in the area.
However, while some surgeries in the county are said to be moving onto the over 70s category, there are also people aged over 85 who have yet to be contacted by their GP about getting their jab.
‘We still have mass confusion on this,’ said Independent TD Verona Murphy. ‘It’s not clear at all. We’re getting communication saying that the vaccination of over 85s is well under way, and yet the amount of constituents whose doctors have not yet received their vaccines is unreal. The doctors don’t know when they will be getting the vaccines, so they can’t tell the patients and their family when they will be done.’
Deputy Murphy says that a lack of communication is the biggest problem in relation to the roll-out.
‘Nothing they’re putting out there is clear,’ she said. ‘If the commitment was to vaccinate the most vulnerable first, then the over 85s would be done by now, it’s a simple as that. I can understand why people have no faith in the system; it feels like it’s being rolled out in a mishmash way and everyone is doing it differently. The one thing we need with the roll-out is coherence and I certainly can’t see that.’