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THE ROLLOUT OF the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine will begin today at four acute hospitals in the Republic of Ireland.
A small number of vaccines will be administered at Beaumont and St James’ hospitals in Dublin as well as Cork and Galway university hospitals.
An initial 10,000 doses of the vaccine arrived in the country on St Stephen’s Day and have been in cold storage since then.
The first doses will be delivered to the hospitals around lunchtime today before being administered to frontline staff and some patients.
Professor Brian MacCraith, chair of the Government’s vaccine rollout taskforce, believes it’s “very possible” that vaccinations will be rolled out in all nursing homes by the end of February.
But speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland Programme this morning, he said that the very first dose will be administered to a 79-year-old patient in St James’ Hospital at 1.30pm today.
“Among the first to receive the vaccine will be — very appropriately — an ICU staff nurse; a staff nurse from the Covid Ward; a junior doctor and an allied health professional as well,” Professor MacCraith said.
“But the very first person to receive the vaccination is a patient called Annie. I won’t give her full name.
“She’s 79. She was born in Christchurch, and grew up in the Liberties. Sadly, her husband passed away earlier this year and just four weeks before her admission in October. She has 10 grandchildren, one of whom works in the ICT department at St James’.
“I’m told that she is delighted to be getting the vaccine and feels very privileged to be the first person.”
Professor MacCraith said that in the first few weeks of the rollout, half of the doses will be held back until there is regularity of supply.
“The approach we’re taking initially — because these are dual-dose vaccines — just until we get absolute certainty about regularity of supply, we will hold back 50% in the initial weeks,” he said.
“Now, we’re expecting that that regularity will happen. And we’re getting more and more assurances from Pfizer in that regard. But, in the coming weeks, we will be growing the numbers.”
MacCraith also expressed hope that by the end of August, everyone in Ireland who wants to be vaccinated against Covid-19 will have received a vaccine.
Although “it’s impossible to be absolutely precise” at the moment, he said that in “one very positive scenario” modelled by the taskforce, Ireland would be receiving an average of 530,000 doses of the vaccine by August.
“And we’d be ready to deploy those vaccines,” he said.
“So I think certainly if all things come to pass… in terms of expected approval rates and expected delivery schedules, one would be looking at that stage of being very close or at the point of closing out the actual vaccination of as much of the population of Ireland that want the vaccine.”
More to follow…
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Good news, inevitably there will be some bumps all be the way so I hope people are patient and realise this isn’t easy to manage. Stay positive and keep doing what we all need to do individually and over the next 6-12 months or so we can put this behind us.
@WiseUp: Great news, we all look forward to the daily vaccination numbers and rolling averages 7, 14 day etc being reported with the same vigour in the next 3 months by NEPHET, RTE etc. as ‘case numbers’ for the last 9 months so as to keep everyone positive.
@Declan: This story doesn’t sound great 9 -5 and 5 days a week ???
https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/coronavirus/health-experts-and-politicians-hit-out-at-9am-to-5pm-jab-roll-out/ar-BB1cjipy?ocid=msedgntp
@Declan: lol i would pay good money to hear Tony say “i am gravely concerned about the speed of the roll out”.
@John Kelly: accepting the point but we have 10,000 doses at the moment. That is 5,000 shots immediately until the next supply is in. It is supposed to be 40,000 a week I read. If we can deliver 40,000 injections a week between 9 to 5 then assigning 24/7 staff is pointless but if we cannot administer the 40,000 a week ( when the supply chain is in full flow) then we need to review the rollout. A vaccine count update every Monday would be interesting… and managing dose two three weeks later. Let us hope 9 to 5 is not a bottleneck and if it is that we can adjust
@John Kelly: August are they having a laugh. A global pandemic ongoing and it will take 8 months to vacinnate 75% of the population. HSE should give this to private company to roll out. There is no leaders and anyone who will be held accountable in the HSE. Super quango.
@aidanshaw: ha ha, very good
@Niall Ó Cofaigh: at 40,000 injections/doses per week, it will take 5 years to vaccinate the entire population, or 4 years to vaccinate 80% of the population.
@donny12345: The issue is the supply chain and the 100000 man hours needed to distribute it.
@donny12345: one of the most ridiculous comments I’ve read in the journal
Before the usual complaints roll in about the delay, an interesting point i came across recently. Such is the extent of the required vaccination programme that a delay of a matter of a few days for patient 1 would have very little national consequence, the timeline that people should be focusing upon is when patient 3.2 million is vaccinated? As that represents the 70% population immunisation target.
@D Mems: ah wud ya gway outta that with ur logic
@D Mems: would love to see a daily KPI report from the HSE on how this is going to be achieved. Unfortunately we are not great at planning here in Ireland, more of “let’s see how it goes”
@paulie G: were doing a lot better than more. How did plans in the US, UK, Brazil or even Sweden go?
@Paul Furey: How are we doing better than any of them in terms of vaccine rollout which is what the comment is about
@aaron: the comment was about planning
@Paul Furey: it is relatively easy to plan for a vacinne programme which, although developed quickly, there was a few months warning, harder to plan for a novel virus that hit hard and fast whilst trying to both develop understanding and respond to it. That’s not planning, that’s crisis management, and even contingency planning can only take you so far in those situations
@aaron: We’re doing our best here because our Government are doing it the safe way, ie, looking at UK results and side effects from patients there and now they’ll be be able to safely observe patients/staff who gets the vaccine here. Who wants to be like the UK shouting out how proud they are to be the first to roll it out – they’re like kids in a playground over there. (We got it first Ne ne ne ).
@D Mems: this will proceed as fast as the HSE can deliver, not as fast as we need it. The fact that it’s a 9 to 5 X 5 day rollout is reflective of our current 5 day health service.
The cosy cartel of career public service management and the embedded special interest groups will ensure that no boats are rocked.
With the exception of the actual injection, this is not a medical process, it’s pure logistics and should be handed over to logistics professionals. Within the public sector in most countries, the best logistic professionals are the military.
@Paul Furey: Yes planning to roll out the vaccine in which case no you cant say we are doing better than the UK and US, I dont know what other planning you could be referring to
@Margaret Doyle: We haven’t done better than the U.K in terms of vaccine considering we haven’t vaccinated anyone yet. I have faith it will go well, it’s just Paul’s comment made no sense
Great news .. but only thing end of feb by the time all nursing homes will be done. Going by the list of groups I’m in one of the last groups previously outlined so looks like 2025 I’ll get the vaccine.
@Joey Hashish: HSE CEO Paul Reid said last week that come Jan we can expect 40,000 doses per week, that equates to over 3 years until we get 70% of the population vaccinated, so you only have to wait until early 2024
@D Mems: that is just for the Pfizer vaccine, soon the Moderna vaccine will be rolled out as will others so the number of vaccines arriving per week will rise as each new vaccine joins the others
@Joey Hashish: it’s probably a case of demand and supply. Plus you need two jabs of this particular vaccine. Other vaccines will hopefully be coming on stream that require only one jab and are easier to transport, and GPs should be able to distribute them.
@Dónal Mac Cormaic: assuming the same delivery schedule that would bring it down to 1.5 years, so hopefully supply is also increased. I think the third vacinne is being targeted towards warmer climates as it doesn’t need to be stored at such a lower temperature as the Pfizer or Moderna ones.
@D Mems: ha ga
@D Mems: end of august for everyone who wants one apparently
@Joey Hashish: You would hope that by the time we vaccinate the most at risk, for example nursing home residents, over 70s and those with underlying conditions, the virus will naturally burn itself out among us, the not so vulnerable.
@Dónal Mac Cormaic: Believe me,the government are in no hurry to use the pfizer vaccine and are waiting on the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine as they have ordered millions of doses as it is 10 times cheaper, is easier to store.. unfortunately this vaccine won’t be approved until February by the EMA.
@William King: i thought that similar quantities of each vacinne were ordered under the EU scheme? What are the actual quantities? I also thought they were all roughly the same cost, again, figures?
It is indeed great news but the government, need to ensure every resource possible to get this done ASAP. No penny pinching on overtime for staff or getting caught up in legal consent quagmires.
@LangerDan: how do you overcome consent issues. The legal framework is clear. It is complex where there are capacity issues. An assessment of individual capacity is required especially in the vulnerable. That involves detailed interview to assess if patients understand consequences etc. There is no shortcut on this unless you are suggesting we for go consent altogether
@LangerDan: Alright….giggity giggity.
@Forkan Orla: Family members could be given powers of consent for family members incapable of consent. How are every other countries dealing with this issue?
@LangerDan: if patients have already been deemed as not being capable of providing consent, in general, many families would already have legal consent powers in place.
@Forkan Orla: once all the details of each vaccine are out in public domain including possible side affects as well as list of people with ailments or conditions that should not take before consulting your own GP. Then for me tgat should be enough. By accepting the vaccine should act as concent. So long as who ever administered it asks relative questions such as have you read the document have you any questions or concerns
@Forkan Orla: maybe by using the same mechanisms in place for administering the flu vac
@D Mems: I take that point but some, I have no idea how many, have said they will not take the vaccine and there is a danger they decide their older relative is not getting it too. This is not new as it applies to other vaccines. Also, I do not know if there is any group defined as unsuitable. Just hope enough say “Yes” and we get it done as quickly as possible.
@Niall Ó Cofaigh: people with severe allergies have been advised not to take it, and pregnant women, I think that’s it so far
Best bet is to find an English woman, fall in love, get married, go to England and get vaccinated. I’ve about four years to play with. Hopefully my girlfriend will understand. Once I’m vaccinated I’ll divorce the English mot and get back with my irish one. Would be a lot quicker than waiting on the Irish system.
@Rob Gale: you have a blockbuster movie on your hands there fella, any ideas for a movie name?
@Damo: “The bus that couldn’t slow down”
@Damo: 2 weddings and a funeral…
@Rob Gale: Even at 100,000 vaccinations per month, that’s over 4 years to vaccinate 5 million people. Add to that that everyone may need two shots – That’s 10 million injections. This could be the hardest part, and could make all else look like a walk in a park, past a pub.
@Damo: hahahahaha savage
The glimmer of light is starting to appear at the end of this very dark tunnel that we are all traveling through.
Administered in nursing homes by the end of February? End of February ???? I sincerely hope that’s a mistake in transcription.
@Isabel Oliveira: in detecting that all these forecasts are realistic verging on pessimistic. 20,000 ppl in nursing homes means getting 10,000 2-dose vaccines per week for the 9 weeks up to end of Feb with a 50% holdback
10,000/2 x 9 / 50% = 22,500.
I’ve got a feeling we will have Moderna and Oxford approval mid-Jan which will triple the supply. Then followed by J&J (one-dose), Novavax, GSK, Curevac in mid 2021. I’m guessing her immunity by June/July.
@Isabel Oliveira: 40,000 doses per week (come Jan), with 2 doses required, so 20,000 people can be vaccinated in a week. According to the CSO about 25,000 people live in nursing homes, when you include staff say 35,000 people.
So, if vaccination staff can be provided, about 2 weeks for dose 1, with dose 2 three weeks later. But I know they are holding back 50%, so 10,000 vaccinations per week, until that supply is guaranteed.
@Stuart: providing we have enough facilities to store the vaccines and a sufficient number of people who can vaccinate
Great news and looking forward to retuning to the old normal.
I see Limerick UHL isn’t part of this initial rollout, seems odd considering the high infection rate here
@Adrian O’Keeffe: The government take pleasure in screwing over UHL and Limerick in general. First they shut down the Midwest’s two satellite hospitals (Ennis & Nenagh) A&E at 8pm nightly (no other acute hospital had their satellite hospitals shut), then they give two fingers to hospital for the Covid vaccine rollout.
@Adrian O’Keeffe: they don’t have the means to store the vaccine just yet
@Critical Thinker: everyone knew this particular vacine required refrigeration and cold-chain distribution. Either way this doesn’t look good
Moving forward
Got hand it Israeli people
Population around 8 million.
100,000 vaccines a day.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Its a wrap in 12 weeks time end of march.
But not Letterkenny hospital in Donegal which has the highest incident rate.
1:30pm? Please don’t tell me that someone had to skip lunch break today because of that..
@BuffaloSoldiersky: not a great moment to be taking the p1ss out of the medical profession
@BuffaloSoldiersky: Seriously man. That made me laugh but you do realise that laughter is banned until covid is eliminated.
Michael Jackson hit is going to be number one again
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie?
Annie, are you okay?
So, Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie?
@artur filip: are you ok??
@Brian Hunt: I am fine
Ireland’s third largest population centre gets forgotten about, once again.
@Colm O’Sullivan: where’s that then?
@Sean: Limerick
@Sean: Limerick
@Munsterman: They don’t have the facilities to store the vaccine at the required temperature.
Great news .. but only thing end of feb by the time all nursing homes will be done. Going by the list of groups I’m in one of the last groups previously outlined so looks like 2025 I’ll get the vaccine
whats in the vaccine
@John O Brien: https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/12/09/1013538/what-are-the-ingredients-of-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine/
See, that wasn’t too tricky to find out
@John O Brien: Third time you’ve posted that in the last few days. Each time, I’ve replied to you, telling you where the information is. Not very good at informing yourself, are you?
But hey, don’t let facts get in the way of your blinkered view of the world.
@Niallman: It’s a common tactic of the anti-vax gowl. Ask a question that implies something is amiss or something is being hidden from us. They have absolutely zero interest in the answer to the question, won’t read or reply to any answers given and will then ask the question again on the next vaccine related article and on and on they go. Sowing seeds of doubt is their game plan.
@John O Brien: a 5g mast
@SmallbutMighty: and stem cells from Gemma ODohertys Ivory Coast flag
Looks as though there is light at the end of the
Good luck annie
Not taking it. Its a wait and see for me. No way of suing the manf if this goes wrong. Should be like all phama drugs and clasified as such. So until its a few years and long term effects proven i will then and only then i would consider such a medical intervention .
Spain isn’t exactly the shining example you seem to think it is, unless you think 50,000+ deaths and the world’s 3rd highest Covid deaths/population ratio is a good thing ? We’ll never know, but maybe if they had shut their pubs and restaurants……..
Why aren’t the cleaners on the COVID ward in UCHG getting the vaccine today?!
Typical govt…. Using this as a big PR stunt instead of just getting on with it and getting it done. I suppose it will be the same as usual if it can’t be done Monday to Friday 9 to 5 then will have just wait and keep the country locked down and people are loosing everything homes, businesses. Take Spain for example where the pubs and restaurants are still open. While here in good old Ireland our are going bankrupt. Hope the govt will the balls to stand up the banks when they start coming to these businness when they come looking for their money.
@Great Gael of Eire: I saw Spain and laughed. Any angle to attempt to bash the Irish authorities, eh?
@Great Gael of Eire: you have scuppered your own argument. You are correct in saying Spain’s pubs and restaurants are open but there numbers are through the roof. They are in a bad way.
@2thFairy: We’ve had the toughest lockdown in Europe therefore we should be firing out vaccines like crazy. But no we are moving at snails pace.. People who won’t work weekends or after 5 pm ect ect.
@Great Gael of Eire: we have not had the toughest lockdown in Europe
9-5 vaccinations is not going to cut it. Use all available qualified staff. G.p.’s nurses, pharmacists and paramedics from Fire services and ambulance services, and while I’m on my soap box delays over possible litigation is inexcusable, this should have been sorted months ago! Do you wish your relative to have a vaccine tick yes or no !
@francie brady: there is limited supply, they could have every qualified tom dick and Harry to administer vaccinations on 24 hour rotation but whats the point if they run out of supply after a couple of days. This staff also have the current jobs to do, does everyone stand down and twiddle their thumbs or do you think its best to calculate your staff levels, hours available and supply to work out that 9 to 5 hours is probably sufficient given the above factors.
@D Mems: Pretty much to a herd scenario, the more that get it and don’t have serious issues against the a near equal amount to vaccinated, it’s like vaccinating people for sexually transmitted diseases, vaccinated all, circumcised all males this is the mantra of WHO, yet millions upon millions may never indulge in any sexual activity what’s soever, millions upon millions, are monogamous, millions upon millions, never leave their own neighbourhood, never have taken any sort of transport. Throughout history millions have died, Native Americans, Tribes in Africa, Congo, etc, because travellers brought these viruses to their community. The ones that caused all this are the ones who could afford to travel, We are more interested in trying to save the lives of the Elderly/vulnerable, and risking our medical personnel, (there won’t be too many to worry about in years to come because so many young people are dying, from all sorts of illnesses, Cancer, drug/drink related, depression, suicide, etc). Many people, many have being dying in nursing homes for years, as a norm, maybe a lot more from the flu, or winter cold than was ever recorded, maybe no deaths every really investigated, same with hospices, you expect people to die, but did they actually die from what they went in with, or something else entirely different, and many are the lucky ones in hospitals, the real ones that can afford to be in a safe environment So many homeless dying on our streets because, hostels, hotels, B&B have to refuse people, why can’t we actually get a grip, cop on to ourselves, we are sacrificing the livelihood of our future generations because of all of this.
@Peter Dunwoody: you lost me at circumcised all males!!!!
Think we need to not build the hope for a normal 2021, but just be grateful the vaccine rollout has started
Even at 100,000 vaccinations per month, that equates to the 5 million ovulation taking over 4 years to vaccinate. We need a few thousand technicians injecting us 24/7. At this stage lockdowns are simply cruel. Even at a rate of 500,000 inoculations per month, we’re looking at next November before everyone is injected. Paddy last as usual.
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