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EXCLUSIVE

By Sean Moriarty

Home-based vaccinations for the elderly or infirm will begin in Kerry in the next two to three days. The HSE has confirmed that by the end of February that over 45,000 people aged over 85 had been vaccinated, either at their local GP clinic or in a community vaccination centre like the one which will soon be in operation at Killarney Sports Centre.

However, the HSE has also identified a cohort of patients that are housebound and are not normally able to attend the GP practice or a Primary Care Centre and, as a result, will start rolling out a home-vaccination schedule in Cork and Kerry.

In a letter dated Wednesday, March 31, which has been seen by the Killarney Advertiser, a senior HSE official said: “We have had confirmation from the National Ambulance Service in recent days that home-based vaccinations are commencing in Cork and Kerry this week and first doses should be completed over two days in Cork and three days in Kerry.”

GPs must make a referral to the National Ambulance Service who then arrange for home based vaccination.

The matter was raised by Cllr Michael Gleeson who sits on the South West Regional Health Forum.

“There have been a number of complaints on behalf of some housebound elderly who have not had any contact from anyone regarding their vaccination. They fear that they are being forgotten,” he said.

Meanwhile, O’Callaghan Coaches on the Tralee Road is offering free transport to and from vaccination centres for people unable to get there themselves.