‘People feel there’s now a way out of this’
Director of nursing at the Public Health Agency Northern Ireland, Deirdre Webb has been responsible for the rollout of the vaccination programme to care homes there.
Protecting people
it’s no surprise that she
volunteers who are keen to help out.
“I lead on the workforce and logistics part of the programme,” says
“We have recruited a temporary vaccination workforce made up of people such as retired GPs and dentists. Everyone has been so enthusiastic and very keen to help out.”
Speed is of the essence, but safety is also paramount. “The care homes have gone through such hard times since the beginning of Covid and we were committed to deploying the vaccine there as soon our pharmacy colleagues to help deploy it safely.
“I’ve been in nursing for 40 years
been involved with.
“I am going to be trained as a vaccinator as well, so I can’t wait for that. But at the moment I am involved in the planning.
“We have small teams helping to deliver the vaccine in patients’ homes. Then vaccinations are also being given at GP surgeries and mass vaccination centres.
All our care homes have now received the first vaccine doses and we hope to see promising results by the spring. People have been so emotional to be receiving the jab, especially the older ones. It’s quite touching. I’ve not experienced this with any other vaccine before – it’s bringing a sense of sheer relief to people, and a sense that there’s a way out of this.”
Deirdre is well aware that rumours and false information makes people think twice about getting the vaccine, but hopes to reassure them. “There are a lot of myths circulating on social media. But I have had the Pfizer vaccine and feel very happy to have received it.”