Tag Archives: Vaccination

THE region is “at risk of a measles outbreaks” due to low uptake of the MMR vaccine since the pandemic, according to the director of Public Health for the HSE Mid-West. Late last month the first case of measles in the Mid-West for four years was detected, Dr  Mai Mannix confirmed during a recent briefing of the HSE to Clare County Council. The case, the first in the country for 2022, involved an individual living in the Mid-West who had been in East Africa where there is a large ongoing outbreak of the disease. Clare’s uptake of the vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella is at 89.1%, however this falls short of the 95% vaccination rate needed for immunity, she told the meeting. Neighbouring Limerick’s uptake of the vaccine is lower again at 82.8%. She stressed the best protection is MMR vaccination, however the uptake rate has declined since the Covid-19 pandemic. “We are working hard with our community colleagues …

NO part of Clare has less than 89% of its population vaccinated, according to the Central Statistics Office, but the level of people who have taken boosters is far lower. West Clare has the highest level of vaccination in the county, with more than 95.8% of people aged 12 or over there having taken it. The Ennistymon, Killaloe and Ennis Municipal Districts all had vaccination rates of between 93.6 and 94.7%. The Shannon Municipal District had the lowest level of vaccination in Clare, with approximately 90% of people there vaccinated. Of those who got fully vaccinated in the Ennistymon Municipal District, 69% went on to get boosted also. The Kilrush Municipal District is just behind at 68%, in Ennis and Killaloe the figure is 66%, while in the Shannon Municipal District it is 65%. All this shows that over one third of Clare people have not taken boosters, for one reason or another. Across the country in 90% of Municipal …

UL Hospitals’ Group is running a Satellite Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic at University Maternity Hospital Limerick (UMHL) from Monday morning, September 20th, to offer safe, convenient vaccination for expectant mums attending the hospital and inpatients who wish to be vaccinated. The announcement comes as UMHL marks world Patient Safety Day today, Friday, September 17th, which this year marks ‘Safe maternal and newborn care’. In line with guidance from the National Immunisation Authority that women can receive mRNA vaccines at any stage of pregnancy, clinical and midwifery directors at the maternity hospital state that the satellite clinic offers women a convenient way to keep themselves and their babies safe while Covid-19 remains prevalent in the community. Dr Naro Imcha, Associate Clinical Director of Maternal and Child Health, UL Hospitals’ Group, said staff want to be very clear, and reassure all pregnant women that the Covid-19 vaccination is safe. “It’s the best way to protect yourself, and your baby, from Covid-19.” Eileen Ronan, …

Another series of scheduled walk-in vaccination clinics for adults, and children aged 12 and over, has been organised across the Mid-West COVID-19 Vaccination Centres in Limerick, Ennis and Nenagh this weekend. These local clinics form part of the nationwide effort to maximise uptake for Pfizer Dose 1&2 and Modern Dose 2 vaccinations, and to provide easy access for those people who have received AstraZeneca Dose 1 and who now, as per national guidance, can receive the Pfizer vaccine as their second dose. In Ennis people can get Pfizer Dose 1 or 2 from 4-7pm on Friday at the West County Hotel, or on Sunday between 9am and 6pm. At Limerick Racecourse people can get Pfizer Dose 1 or 2 or Moderna Dose 2 from 2-7pm on Friday. Also at Limerick Racecourse Pfizer Dose 1 and 2 will be available on Sunday, between 9am and 6pm. On Satuday people can get either of the Pfizer Doses at the Abbey Court Hotel, …

MORE than 800 people were vaccinated against Covid-19 at a walk-in clinic in Treacy’s West County Hotel, Ennis during the Bank Holiday Weekend, writes Dan Danaher. A total of 2,649 people received first-dose Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines at walk-in clinics in the three Mid-West Vaccination Centres over the busy weekend. The regional total was composed of 1,273 vaccinations in the Limerick Racecourse Centre; 822 in the West County Hotel, Ennis; and 554 in the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh; following walk-in clinics held in the centres on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. Colette Cowan, CEO, UL Hospitals’ Group, said the group was delighted with the response to the walk-in clinics over the Bank Holiday Weekend. “With Covid-19 still a very real threat to our communities and healthcare facilities in the Mid-West, it was wonderful to see so many people aged 16 and over taking the time over the weekend to play a very important part in the battle against the virus …

MORE than 10,000 vaccine doses against Covid-19 were administered in two Clare mass vaccination centres over a one-week period, according to official figures. The UL Hospitals’ Group has confirmed a total of 10,171 vaccine doses were administered between the Radisson Blu, Meelick 7,267 and Treacy’s West County, Ennis, 2,904 sites from May 2 to May 9. Up to close of business on Sunday May 9th, Group vaccinators had administered a total of 57,573 Covid-19 vaccine doses across the Mid-West. This regional total is composed of 51,777 Dose One and 5,796 Dose Two vaccinations Doses administered at the three Mid-West Vaccination Centres in the Radisson Blu, West County Ennis and Abbey Court Nenagh to that point in time, account for 69% of the overall regional total, with 39,730 doses having been delivered there. Last week, Week 18 of the programme, was the busiest to date. Between Sunday May 2nd and close of business on Saturday May 8th, 11,406 doses were delivered …

A Clare Deputy has called for action to clear the backlog of passport applications after new figures revealed 1,000  local people are on a waiting list. New information provided to Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Tourism and Aviation and TD for Clare, Cathal Crowe, show that there is a backlog of 1,000 passport applications in Clare. Out of the overall total, 900 are for renewals with 100 first time applications. Deputy Crowe commented, “The challenge of clearing this backlog will be significant and I hope it can be addressed soon. While obviously the fundamental reason for having a passport is that of international travel, it is not of huge importance right now, nonetheless it is essential that we resume normal service as soon as possible. “The target for vaccination against Covid-19 is for 80 percent of adults to have at least had one jab by the end of June. Similar targets exist across Europe. If these are achieved, it is likely …

UL Hospitals Group has this afternoon confirmed that the Ennis and Nenagh mass vaccination clinics will now open tomorrow (Wednesday, April 21). The planned date for opening of the two centres had been next Monday, April 26, however, CEO of the UL Hospitals Group and Chair of the Mid-West Integrated Covid-19 Vaccination Steering Group today confirmed that the centres would open ahead of schedule. “We are delighted to now open vaccination centres in Ennis and Nenagh a few days in advance of our initial planned date. Over 130,000 people in the 65-69-year-old cohort around the country have already registered for their Covid-19 vaccination and appointments are being offered at the most convenient location based on the information submitted during registration,” she said. “People can register online at https://vaccine.hse.ie/, and they will be asked for their mobile phone number, email address, PPS number and Eircode. Telephone registration is also available at HSELive on 1850-24-1850 for those unable to register online, and …