First Covid-19 vaccine in Our Lady's Hospital

Miriam Hilley was the first person to receive the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan.

“I’d encourage everyone to get it as soon as they can,” she said.

Miriam is a clinical nurse manager working in COVID Emergency Department at Our Lady’s Hospital.

She got the vaccine today (Thursday).

“I feel very privileged to be the first person in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan to receive the vaccine. I feel a great sense of relief and happiness today. Of course the last year has been difficult but this vaccine brings hope.”

Miriam was given a HSE vaccine information leaflet, along with more detailed manufacturer’s patient information leaflet, before getting the vaccine. Afterwards, each person vaccinated was given a vaccine record card, showing the name and batch of the vaccine they have received. They will each return for their second dose, to be fully protected, in three weeks.

GM of Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, Ken Fitzgibbon said: “Today is a really positive day for our hospital. It’s been a tough year and will continue to be for a few more weeks. This vaccine is the first step in returning to normality in the future.”

The vaccine will now be rolled out to all healthcare staff and vulnerable patients in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan over the coming weeks.

Worldwide, vaccines save at least 2-3 million lives each year – and protect many more from crippling and lifelong illnesses. Only COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorised by the European Medicines Agency, having met stringent safety and effectiveness standards, will be used in Ireland. All COVID-19 vaccines will be carefully monitored over time and updated safety data and information will be published and shared by the HSE, on our website and in our printed information materials.

Everyone can find factual, up-to-date information, based on scientific evidence on:

www.hse.ie/covid19vaccine

www.gov.ie/covid19vaccine

www.hpra.ie

www.who.int