95 per cent of Meath adults vaccinated against Covid-19

The people of Meath got fully behind the Covid-19 vaccination programme with 95.4 per cent of adults over 18 and 93.5 per cent of over 12s vaccinated.

Dr Augustine Pereira, Director of Public Health North East said; “We have seen collaboration across public health, healthcare staff in communities and local authorities at a pace and scale unparalleled in recent times. The commitment to improve and protect health amongst all and the reach of Local Authorities into their communities have all contributed to the success of the vaccination programme and protection of the people of the North East from Covid-19.

He said the proven effectiveness of vaccines in protection against illness and saving lives has allowed the lifting of nearly all restrictions, and after two years, a return to our more normal lives. The good news for communities across the North East today is that coming into contact with Covid-19 when vaccinated means you are much less likely to get very sick.

He acknowledged that “…the virus is still circulating and it’s important than every person in the North East has benefited from the protection that vaccination provides.

In September last year, vaccination uptake rates in some age groups were amongst the lowest in the country at under 60 per cent in some parts of the North East, Covid-19 transmission was rampant, and sickness and hospitalisation threatened to overwhelm. A joint mission between Public Health, Community Healthcare and Local Authorities of the North East to encourage vaccination achieved remarkable success reaching over 95 per cent uptake in North East amongst eligible adults.

Meath County Council Chief Executive, Jackie Maguire added; “Providing all citizens with accurate and consistent messaging was a top priority throughout the pandemic. Working in collaboration with our neighbouring local authorities and with the Department of Public Health North East enabled us to inform all citizens in a timely manner, prevent the spread of disinformation, target specific audiences with tailored messaging and to encourage social cohesion.”

Dr Pereira, acknowledged the role of community vaccination centre staff, GPs and pharmacies.

He confirmed that Public Health North East will continue to reach out to the unvaccinated to meet with, and provide access to vaccines, saying: “we are grateful for the valuable insights on local populations and communities that Local Authorities and Community Healthcare have shared with Public Health teams, which has been key to communicating into hard to reach communities.”

Des O’Flynn, Chief Officer, Midlands Louth Meath CHO said: “while we are all in this together was the basis of our response to Covid-19, the collective response from our staff, the wider health services, our partners in local authorities and the people of the North East demonstrated how we collectively worked together for the greater good. It has been a tough and exhausting time but we also know that we can’t be complacent. Please take a test if you display symptoms and, of course, get a vaccine if you haven’t had one yet. Vaccines are working and are helping to prevent severe illness across Ireland.”

Dr Pereira said: “We have achieved so much by working in partnership with each other and our local authorities. As we look towards the future, and the recovery of our society, our health and our care system we will continue to work collaboratively in promoting vaccination uptake and accessibility, addressing inequalities, while continuing to protect and improve the health of the population of the North East.”

He added that our collective endeavours at keeping this virus suppressed through vaccination will remain central to the wellbeing and prosperity of the North East region in the years ahead.