Walk-in vaccinations at Simonstown as appeal goes out to unvaccinated

The HSE is providing pop up testing and walk in vaccination centres in Meath over the next few days as an appeal goes out to those who aren't already vaccinated to come forward to have the jab.

Meath and Louth County Councils as well as the HSE North East have come together in a major appeal to people to get vaccinated as the numbers in hospital are on the rise again.

“The vaccine will protect you, but it isn’t just to protect yourself, it’s for your family, friends and the wider community,” said Dr Augustine Pereira, Director of Public Health North East.

A one-day HSE Covid 19 pop-up test centre will operate in Navan O’Mahony’s GAA Pitch, Brews Hill, Navan tomorrow (Wednesday 20th October) from 10.30am to 5.30pm.

Walk-in vaccination clinics for Pfizer doses one and two will take place at Simon=nstown GAA Centre Navan from 2pm to 6.30pm tomorrow and Friday and on Monday from 9am to 5pm.

The HSE along with Louth and Meath County Councils are working together to encourage those who have not yet had a vaccine to get vaccinated.

Dr Pereira said: “Everyone in Ireland aged 12 and older is eligible to receive free Covid-19 vaccines. Those who are currently eligible for vaccines but remain unvaccinated are at risk of becoming seriously ill. In order to protect yourself and prevent the spread, it is important that you get vaccinated.

“Our message to the eligible population who have had their doses of the vaccine is; thank you. To those who have one dose; please ensure you receive your second dose, and to those who have not yet come forward to be vaccinated; please, we urge anyone who has not yet availed of a vaccine to get it.

“We are asking our community groups and businesses to play a role in helping us get the unvaccinated vaccinated. “We need you to ensure people are getting reliable information about the vaccine. To show them where they can find reliable and accurate information online. We want parents and grandparents to encourage young people to take up the opportunity to get vaccinated.”

Dr Pereira added: “the work to improve vaccine uptake needs to continue. We must leave no stone unturned. No one should be left behind because they haven’t had the support they need to make an informed decision to get vaccinated.”

Jackie Maguire, Chief Executive of Meath County Council, said “Unfortunately there is still a significant number of unvaccinated people in Meath and beyond, these people remain highly vulnerable to COVID-19. Now is the time for us all to make one last effort to ensure protection for our family, friends and loved ones”.

Head of Service for Health and Wellbeing in Midlands Louth Meath Community Healthcare, Fiona Murphy, said: “Covid-19 can have serious, long-term or life-threatening complications, and there is no way to know how Covid-19 will affect you. If you get infected, you could spread the disease to family, friends and others around you. Getting vaccinated is a much safer way to build protection than getting the virus.”

“People aged 12 years and older can get their vaccine by registering on hse.ie or by attending a walk-in clinic; parental consent is required for those aged 12-15. For further details on getting a vaccine and updates about the walk-in vaccination clinics, visit: https://www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/get-the-vaccine/.”

“COVID-19 vaccines are widely available at various locations across the region, including participating pharmacies in Louth and Meath. To find a pharmacy to book a vaccine appointment visit https://www2.hse.ie/Apps/Services/PharmaciesServiceList.aspx,” she said.