Una makes history
The roll out of the COVID19 vaccine in Cavan commenced with Una McBarron receiving the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine
Una McBarron, 102 year old, from Ballyconnell is the first person in residential services for Older People in Community Heatlhcare Organisation Area 1 (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo) to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Una’s vaccine was the first Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to be administered by vaccinators at Breffni Care Centre, Ballyconnell, Cavan.
Una marked her moment in history by saying: “I’m happy to receive the vaccine today. It is a privilege to have it. I want to thank all of the staff in Breffni for looking after us so well and keeping us safe from this virus”.
Una 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. Residents and Staff will each return for their second dose, to be fully protected, in three weeks.
Rae Ann Pasco, Senior Enhanced Nurse at Breffni Care Centre became the first Healthcare Worker in CHO 1 to be vaccinated against Covid-19: “This is an important day in our fight against Covid-19. I am happy to be receiving this vaccine and wish to encourage all those who are invited to get the vaccine to take it,” Rae Ann said.
Commenting on the importance of the moment John Hayes, Chief Officer of CHO 1 said: “This is a day of hope for a better future. It is a good day for the residents and staff of Breffni Care Centre and we are delighted that we can start rolling out the vaccine for our community. I would particularly like to thank all of the healthcare workers in CHO 1 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 impacted by this deadly virus. While today does offer us hope, it is important that we continue to adhere with the public health guidelines to keep safe while the vaccine is being rolled out over the coming weeks and months. It is important to remember that by wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distancing and practising good hand hygiene, you’re supporting frontline workers to maintain essential health services for the people of CHO 1.”
Loida Aragon, Assistant Director of Nursing at Breffni Care Centre acknowledged the event by saying: “This is a great day for Una McBarron and her family and all our residents and staff. Since March 1st 2020 our residents and their families and staff have been living in fear and preparing for all the worst case scenarios that Covid 19 could bring to our door, they have been separated from their loved ones for almost a year and they have paid a heavy price, we are proud to say that due to the fantastic efforts of our team here in Breffni Care Centre we have so far managed to keep COVID-19 outside the door. Now as we vaccinate today, we start to build the wall of protection for our residents and staff and we look forward to 2021.”
Worldwide, vaccines save at least 2-3 million lives each year – and protect many more from crippling and lifelong illnesses. Only COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorised by the European Medicines Agency, having met stringent safety and effectiveness standards, will be used in Ireland. All COVID-19 vaccines will be carefully monitored over time and updated safety data and information will be published and shared by the HSE, on our website and in our printed information materials.
Everyone can find factual, up-to-date information, based on scientific evidence on:
www.hse.ie/covid19vaccine
www.gov.ie/covid19vaccine
www.hpra.ie
www.who.int