THE Covid-19 vaccination programme which began on December 14 in the Western Trust has seen the majority of care homes receiving their second Pfizer/BionTech jab.

Out of the 64 care homes in the Trust region, 59 have had the first vaccine delivered, while 49 of them have now received their second dose, according to Ann McConnell, Director of HR at the Western Trust.

2,000 residents and an equal number of staff have been vaccinated, but they are finding that care home staff who maybe did not want the vaccine the first time round are now more open to it now.

Covid outbreaks in care homes are increasing in the Trust area, with 20 homes currently dealing with an outbreak. However, the Trust are working with affected homes to get the vaccines administered whenever the all-clear has been given.

As well as the vaccinations in care homes, more than 10,000 health and social care staff have been vaccinated, with a total of 15,000 vaccinations being administered, in total.

As well as health trust staff, independent domiciliary care staff, community pharmacists, dentists, opticians, funeral directors and foster carers have begun to be included in the vaccine roll-out.

The Director had a strong message for anybody who had any doubts or scepticism about taking the vaccine: “Anyone who is looking at the media coverage and seeing the ambulances at the doors of most of the major hospitals in the province understands that this is a serious virus.

‘Fortunate position’

“We are in the fortunate position of being able to offer staff the vaccine, and therefore we’re encouraging them to take that on to protect themselves and to protect others.”

Overall, a Western Trust spokesperson said that vaccination slots at Health and Social Care Staff Mass Vaccination Clinics are very well attended, adding: “Staff are appreciative of the opportunity to avail of the vaccine at this time.

“Where there is someone unable to attend, or who cannot have the vaccine, there is a system in place to fill that slot to avoid any vaccine wastage.”

With such vaccination roll-out for healthcare and key frontline workers now well under way, the Lakeland Forum – one of the assigned vaccination centres – has reported queues, at times, as the briskly organised vaccination programme gathers pace.

The leisure centre is being used to vaccinate key frontline workers as the battle to defeat the pandemic moved to a new level.

Many of those queuing up were delighted to be getting the opportunity to get the vaccine.

For example, Sandra Honeyman and Raymond Dowdalls, from Dowdalls Pharmacy in Fintona, said: “It’s going to leave our lives better, and our staff will be safer, going forward.”

It can only be hoped that this efficient start to the roll-out continues as the aim of immunising the most vulnerable and all our key workers in this community, followed by the general public, is vital to winning the fight against Covid-19.