Future of vaccine centre uncertain

No decision has been made on the future of Cavan’s COVID-19 vaccination centre.

Based at the Hotel Kilmore outside Cavan Town, the facility has been operating since last April and was at the core of the rollout of the vaccine programme in the county.

The HSE announced last week that the vaccine centre serving Co Roscommon is to close this coming weekend as the lease on that facility expires.

However, no replacement centre will open there, with vaccines instead offered through GPs surgeries and pharmacies or in centres in neighbouring Leitrim and Westmeath.

The lease on the Cavan centre was originally agreed to run until the end of October last but this was extended as the Covid booster campaign was approved.

However, the HSE has said no decision has been made on the future of the facility going forward, with the lease now due to run out on June 30.

In a statement to the Celt, the HSE said it is “currently waiting for a national operating model for the next phase of the vaccination programme, which will inform future service delivery”.

The future of the vaccine programme generally is uncertain.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar last week confirmed consideration was being given to a fourth dose of the vaccine for the elderly and medically vulnerable. However, the Government is awaiting advice before making a decision.