ALMOST 40,000 vaccines against Covid-19 were delivered by the UL Hospitals’ Group over the last two weeks, new figures have revealed. 
The group delivered 110,127 doses of vaccine across the Mid-West up to the close of business on Tuesday, June 2, according to figures obtained by the Clare Champion. 
It achieved a significant milestone by clocking up 150,000 vaccine doses on Wednesday since the regional programme got underway on January 4.
This figure does not include the vaccines delivered by colleagues in HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare, the National Ambulance Service and General Practitioners.
Pharmacists are also delivering vaccines from this week.
In recent times, the group has been aware of a number of instances in which SMS text message appointment confirmations have directed people to centres other than those closest to their homes.
Similar incidents have been reported in other parts of the country over the past few days. 
The group has been working to identify and contact people who have been affected in the Mid-West, to assist them with arranging appointments in their local centres.
Ahead of the opening of registration for the 35-39 years age group, the group and Public Health Mid-West are issuing a joint appeal to people to register for vaccination, and for all employers to do everything they can to facilitate workers to attend for vaccine appointments.
Ahead of the opening of registration for 35-39 year-olds, the HSE are focused on scheduling and vaccinating people aged over 40 for vaccination.
More than 70 pharmacies across the region, as part of a national programme have already been given the go-ahead to administer the Janssen single-dose Covid-19 vaccine to people aged 50 and over.
The HSE website has full details of pharmacies where people of 50 years and older can book a Janssen vaccine appointment. 
Noreen Spillane, Chief Operations Officer, UL Hospitals Group said: “I cannot over-estimate the positive impact for the Mid-West as we mark the administration of 150,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine from the UL Hospitals’ Group vaccination programme alone. The incidence of Covid-19 in our hospitals and communities has tracked down significantly from the height of the most recent wave, and the progress of vaccination enables us to look to the future with confidence.”
“Every step we have taken in our fight against Covid-19 has been leading to this point, and we encourage our local communities to continue their support for our efforts to make our society safe from the threat of Covid-19. We ask businesses throughout the region to facilitate their employees attending for vaccination. The vaccination programme is the best weapon for keeping Covid-19 at bay, in our workplaces and throughout our society,” she said.

by Dan Danaher