Creative touches make vaccination centres more child-friendly

WITH the first scheduled vaccine appointments for the general 5-11 years age group from this Friday, work has been underway to transform vaccination centres into child-friendly spaces.

UL Hospitals Group vaccinator teams have been channeling their creativity with wall art and posters in a bid to soften the clinical appearance of the centres in Ennis, Limerick and Nenagh and help younger children feel more relaxed about receiving the jab.

Youngsters in that age group with underlying conditions had the first experience of the new arrangements when they attended the centres for vaccination earlier this week.

There will be scheduled clinics from 2pm to 6.30pm on Friday and from 8am to 6.30pm on Saturday at the West County Hotel Ennis, Scoil Carmel Limerick and Abbey Court Hotel Nenagh.

Nora Barry, Operations Manager of the Mid-West COVID-19 Vaccination Centres, said: “This effort is aimed at softening the appearance of the sites for young children who may well be quite overwhelmed by the prospect of receiving a vaccination against COVID-19, which they will have all heard so much about at home from older siblings, their parents, and on the news.”

Well done Alice, what a lovely idea @Irenefleann https://t.co/7HTj3liHpH

— UL Hospitals (@ULHospitals) January 2, 2022

“The measures are being introduced across all three centres, and we’re deeply appreciative of the efforts of staff who, at a time when they’re also running scheduled and walk-in clinics for primary vaccinations and booster doses for all ages, have worked so hard to make the vaccination experience a positive one for little ones across the region.”

She explained: “We are adding colourful posters and wall art to the interiors of the vaccination booths, and every child vaccinated will receive stickers. A member of staff will be on hand in the post-vaccination waiting area to talk to any children who might like to ask questions about vaccination, and we will also give the children a little snack treat when they’re leaving.”

“In our centres, vaccinators and administration staff, have created beautiful illustrations on the vaccination booths, providing great reassurance for younger children waiting in line with their parents or guardians to be called into the booths for vaccination. The feedback we’ve been getting—from children and parents/guardians alike—has been very positive,” Ms Barry added.

With vaccination of very vulnerable and at-risk children ongoing, the online registration portal is open for parents/guardians to register all other children aged 5-11 years at https://bit.ly/3JFIQmt

Parents and guardians must register their children, and provide consent for the vaccination, prior to attending. No exceptions can be made.

This can be done either online or by telephone. The swiftest way to register is online. All a parent or guardian needs to register a child is:

– Parent/guardian’s own mobile phone number; Parent/guardian’s own email address; The child’s PPS number; The child’s Eircode

Anyone who is unable to register online may register by phone via the COVID-19 helpline at Freephone 1800 700 700, from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, or 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday.

After you register, you will be sent a text message with the vaccination appointment details three to seven days before the appointments. The HSE aims to schedule the appointment within around three weeks of registration.

Walk-in vaccine booster dose clinics will also be held in the coming days, starting this Thursday in all three centres for the 16-29 years age group, then for the 30+ years age group on Friday morning, and for the 16-29s all day on Sunday.

For anyone who has yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19, there are walk-in Dose 1 and 2 clinics across all three centres this Thursday, 9am-7pm in Limerick and Ennis, and 2pm-7pm in Nenagh.

Also this Friday and Sunday there are booster clinics scheduled under the new SwiftQueue self-referral appointment system for vaccine booster clinics, which is now open to the 16-29 years age group at https://bit.ly/3qfRcbs