Staff vaccinations started this morning at Tallaght Hospital with plans to deliver the first dose of the vaccine to all staff in the next two weeks.
A peer vaccination team of up to 30 nurses will vaccinate staff Monday to Saturday to ensure that all personnel are protected in a planned and timely way.
At 10am Louise Power, Arthroplasty Nurse Specialist became the first person in Tallaght University Hospital to be vaccinated with the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine against COVID-19.
She was vaccinated by her colleague Vivienne Dick, Clinical Nurse Facilitator.
Louise 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.
Appointments for staff to receive the second dose of the vaccine are automatically generated ensuring they will be fully protected, in three weeks.
Lucy Nugent CEO Tallaght University Hospital said:
“We are delighted to start the new year by offering this protection to our frontline workers with this Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
“It is a very worrying time for everyone, particularly our frontline workers who continue to face this dangerous virus.
“I would like to commend the team in TUH who have worked so hard to begin the delivery of this vaccination programme, which also includes CHI at Tallaght staff who are located at TUH.
“This virus has really taken its toll on our people and services, yet despite the challenges the sheer optimism and determination has to be commended.
“Huge sacrifices have been made by the community and our staff.
“I am very proud of the staff, they have gone above and beyond.
“We would ask the community to continue supporting us at what is a particularly dangerous time as the virus is so active in our community.
“Please continue to supporting us as you have done in the last year by staying at home and staying safe, which is the current advice from NPHET.”
