Grandmother of 10 Annie Lynch has today received the second dose of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, after she made history by becoming the first person to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in Ireland.
Clinical nurse manager Bernie Waterhouse, the first health care worker in Ireland to get the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, also received her second dose at St James’s Hospital, Dublin 8.
Staff and residents who were part of the very first vaccination clinic were also given their second doses.
It will be seven days before the vaccine should protect recipients against developing severe infection from Covid-19.
Annie said today: “I’m relieved to have the two doses and can’t wait to see my family and grandchildren. I felt fine after the first dose, no after effects at all. I am delighted to have received the second dose. ”
HSE CEO Paul Reid said: “In seven days Annie will be protected against developing serious infection and illness if exposed to Covid-19. This offers everyone affected by this virus welcome reassurance, especially as we are seeing such high infection rates and record numbers of patients in our hospitals. It’s another considerable step towards reclaiming our lives from the grip of Covid-19 which continues to take such a toll on so many people.”
Chief clinical officer of the HSE Colm Henry: “We are delivering second doses across the country, which will mean those people are much less likely to suffer severe consequences of Covid-19.
“The vaccine will enhance and not replace the public health measures which halt transmission of Covid-19. It is important that these core activities — staying apart, wearing masks, hand washing and following the public health measures — remain our frontline of defence against the worst effects of Covid-19.”
Mary Day, CEO of St James’s Hospital, said: “At St James’s we are delighted to see our patients and staff begin to receive the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine and I thank our vaccinators and all our staff for their hard work and dedication. Like all hospitals we continue to face challenges and even with this positive development, we would like to remind everyone to continue to adhere to all public health guidelines, including social distancing, practising good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and the proper use of face coverings and masks.”
Dr Lucy Jessop, Director of the HSE’s National Immunisation Office, said: “Vaccines save lives. 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.”
New figures show that 94,000 people have received a Covid-19 vaccine dose in the Republic.
Some 71,000 doses have been administered to frontline healthcare workers and a further 23,000 to residents or staff of long-term residential facilities.
A total of 140,000 vaccines should be administered by this Sunday, while people will also start to receive their second dose of the vaccine this week.
