Ballymahon nursing home resident is first in Longford to get Covid vaccine
Ballymahon woman Catherine Gerety this week became the first resident of a nursing home in Longford to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
Vaccinators came on site at Thomond Lodge Nursing Home in Ballymahon on Wednesday to administer the Pfizer BioNTech jab.
Catherine was the first person to get it, and she encouraged the public to follow the health guidelines so that she can go home to see her family soon.
"I have kept in touch on Zoom and with many telephone calls. I would like to thank all of the staff who cared for us all. Even when things got hard, they always supported us," she said.
Catherine was given a HSE vaccine information leaflet, along with more detailed manufacturer's patient information leaflet, before getting the vaccine.
Afterwards, each person vaccinated was given a vaccine record card, showing the name and batch of the vaccine they have received. They will each return for their second dose, to be fully protected, in three weeks.
"It is a good day for the residents and staff of Thomond Lodge Nursing Home and we are delighted that we can start rolling out the vaccine for our community," said Sarah McBride, Chief Officer of Midlands Louth Meath Community Healthcare Organisation.
"I would particularly like to thank all of the healthcare workers in Midlands Louth Meath who worked tirelessly to make this day possible. I would also like to thank healthcare staff, who have worked so hard at the frontline over the past year to protect our community from Covid-19 and support those who were affected by the virus.
"While today does offer us hope for a better future, it is important that we continue to adhere with all of necessary guidelines to keep safe while the vaccine is being rolled out over the coming weeks and months."
Trish Ennis, Person in Charge of Thomond Lodge Nursing Home, said: "We are delighted to be receiving the vaccine today. The past year has been difficult at times for everyone here at Thomond Lodge.
"The vaccine is bringing us one step closer to normality once again. Importantly, we are a step closer to our residents being reunited with their families after simply too long apart.
"The past year would not have been possible without our incredible crew of hard-working staff – they have sacrificed so much in order to keep residents, colleagues and our community safe. My sincere thanks to them all, our local GPs, especially Dr Kenny and her team.
"The HSE – Bernie Gavin and Deirdre Kavanagh – thank you for your help, support and daily contact. Thank you to the families of our residents for their support.
"Thank you to the local community who were very supportive and whose many donations of treats to staff and residents, along with valuable PPE in the early days, were so very much appreciated.
"Receiving the vaccine is an incredible opportunity, but I would urge people to keep following the Government guidelines. We are so close, yet so far, from where we need to be," she said.