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3,000 GPs and practice nurses receiving first dose of COVID-19 vaccine today

Around 3,000 GPs and practice nurses are receiving their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine today...
98FM
98FM

15.53 14 Feb 2021


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3,000 GPs and practice nurses...

3,000 GPs and practice nurses receiving first dose of COVID-19 vaccine today

98FM
98FM

15.53 14 Feb 2021


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Around 3,000 GPs and practice nurses are receiving their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine today.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca jabs are being given at hubs in Dublin, Galway, Portlaoise and Sligo.

It follows the inoculation of approximately 2,000 of the healthcare workers in Dublin, Portlaoise and Galway yesterday.

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HSE CEO Paul Reid visited the teams in Sligo today where around 500 GPs and practice nurses were vaccinated.

He said there was a "lovely atmosphere" at the centre in IT Sligo, commending the "great cooperation by everyone to make this happen".

The latest figures show over 261,000 coronavirus inoculations have been administered across the country, with 171,000 people receiving their first dose.

The rollout of vaccines to over-85s will start at dozens of GP practices tomorrow.

Speaking to On the Record with Gavan Reilly, Monaghan-based doctor Ilona Duffy explained that some in that age group will have to wait.

3,000 GPs and practice nurses receiving first dose of COVID-19 vaccine today

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Only a small number of practices, around 80, will receive their fist deliveries this week, while GPs also don't know which vaccine they're getting, which also causes difficulties, she added.

"We've looked online and it looks like our next delivery for vaccinations will be Thursday fortnight so we have over a fortnight to wait," she said.

"It's going to take time, and that's their first dose, and then their second dose will obviously be four weeks' later and they'll return for that.

"I think once we get people in for the first part, it will be easy because we'll automatically be able to give them a date for the next one.

Dr Duffy added that GP practices tend to see a week in advance what's happening on the ground in terms of coronavirus, and said there is reason for optimism.

It comes as a further 66 deaths and 1,078 new cases were confirmed last night.

Earlier, Dr Mary Favier, former President of the Irish College of GPs and member of NPHET, said there is a "really positive week" coming up in terms of vaccinations

She said that for anyone who doesn't have a GP, they can ring the HSE helpline number (1850 241 850) and they'll be facilitated in finding a GP.

Main image: A mass vaccination centre at the Helix DCU, Dublin. Photograph: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

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