AN acceleration of the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out in Donegal has resulted in 1,000 people getting their first dose each day this week.
It is expected that all people aged between 50-59 in Donegal, who have registered for the vaccine online, will have been offered their first dose of the vaccine in the vaccination centre at Letterkenny Institute of Technology by Tuesday next, May 25.
From early next week the vaccination centre, which operates seven days a week, will be scheduling appointments for the 45 to 49 age group followed by the 40 to 44 age group in line with the national plan.
Dr Paul Armstrong, Lifford based GP and Covid assessment hub lead, said that ‘huge progress’ has been made with the vaccination roll-out in recent weeks.
“I was disappointed for a while because we were behind centres in Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Mayo where people in their fifties were getting the vaccination. In fairness, people in their fifties are now being done in Letterkenny this week.
“In fact, they’re hoping by the middle of next week to have all the vaccines done for the over fifties in the LYIT – between that and the GPs.
“They’re moving into the forties next week which is very good news – they’ve made huge progress in the last week or so in Donegal,” Dr Armstrong said.
However, there are up to 100 “no shows” at the Letterkenny centre on each day this week after appointments, in some cases, were duplicated and the vaccine had already been administered by GPs.
“Other people are booking and not coming as they were requesting a certain vaccine but the guidelines are very strict. The Astra Zeneca vaccine is being used for those between 60 and 69.
“I know this week they are giving out the Moderna vaccine to under 59s in Letterkenny while they’re also getting some Johnson and Johnson vaccines in but it depends on what they have there on any given day. It’s difficult to meet individual requests.
“We’re doing well and we will have caught up with other areas, hopefully, by the middle of next week,” he added.
The HSE confirmed that the vaccination centre operates a zero wastage policy and maintains a standby list based on the HSE sequencing guidance. Those eligible can receive the vaccine on short notice should any open vials remain near the end of a clinic.
“The HSE strongly encourages all members of the public who are registered for their Covid-19 vaccine to attend for their appointment.”