A 79-year-old grandmother from The Liberties has become the first person in the Republic of Ireland to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
Annie Lynch, a grandmother of 10, received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at St James’s Hospital in the city earlier this afternoon. She is a resident in the Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing at the hospital.
Speaking to RTE, Annie – who currently lives in Drimnagh – said: “I feel very privileged to be the first person in Ireland to receive the vaccine.
“Like everyone else I have been waiting for the vaccine and I really feel like there is a bit of hope there now. It’s brilliant that it’s here. Everything was explained very clearly to me beforehand.”
Annie was followed by a Clinical Nurse Manager from St James’s Hospital, Bernie Waterhouse, who works on a dedicated Covid ward in the facility. She is the first healthcare worker in the Republic to receive the vaccine.
The rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine begins today at four hospitals around the country, including St James’s and Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. Both hospitals are expected to administer 500 doses each within the coming days.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said: “Today is a ray of light after what has been a trying year in our country.
“It is testament to the work of the medical and scientific communities that we now have safe and effective vaccines to help to protect us against the devastating effects of COVID-19. Our healthcare workers have worked day and night to care for their patients throughout this pandemic.
“I would like to acknowledge their dedication and commitment, and thank them for the central role they will play as we now move into administering the vaccines. While vaccines will help us in the fight against this pandemic, COVID-19 is still a threat to health and to our health services, and we must do everything we can to slow its spread.
“Please continue to follow the public health guidance, mind yourselves and mind your loved ones.”
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