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A Co Kerry senior who unexpectedly received doses of a Covid-19 vaccine has said that receiving the vaccine is an honor and like winning the lottery.
Last week, Sean O’Shea, 78, of Derrynane, received a call informing him of his first shot injected the next day.
O’Shea told RTÉ’s News at One that it was “like winning the lottery.”
O’Shea is one of the over 70s in Sneem vaccinated after hundreds of doses of the Moderna vaccine unexpectedly arrived.
“I feel absolutely brilliant. I feel like I’ve won the lottery. We took our hits last Friday,” O’Shea said.
“My wife and I have underlying conditions and it was brilliant when we got the call last Thursday to say we would get vaccinated on Friday. It was absolutely wonderful,” he said.
“It was like winning the lottery because at our age, if we contracted the virus, it could be very serious. Look, we have everything because once you have your health it is not so much wealth,” O’Shea added.
The population of the Sneem Health Center practice is around 1,600 and covers a wide geographic area from Kenmare to Waterville.
234 patients are over 70 years old and have received their vaccinations.
The rest of the doses will be administered this weekend.
Sneem’s practice nurse, Sheena O’Sullivan, told News at One: “Today we are getting organized for the last doses we have. We are going to give them to all of our high-risk patients.”
Mary Regan, another recipient, said she was “pleased and honored” to receive the vaccine.
He said he hopes to receive his second dose in the next few weeks.
“It’s a welcome gift, the vaccine, and it makes people in better shape because the last lockdown was difficult. This lockdown was also a bit difficult. People are more in a good mood now and are looking forward to the next vaccine.” added. Mrs. Regan said.
The vaccine was administered by two local retired physicians, Dr. Patrick Malone and Dr. Diane Foord, and the current GP, Dr. Hernan Ganzo.
Dr. Ganzo, who runs the Sneem Health Center, said it was a “happy surprise” that he received that many vaccinations.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Today With Claire Byrne, she praised the efforts of the local community to get everything up and running.
“The entire population helped. People wait patiently in their cars until it is time to receive the blow … it was the entire community that made it possible.”
Speaking about the same program, Dr. Malone said that the impact on the community has been “very positive.”
“Everyone who walked through the door was absolutely happy with the arrival of the vaccines.
“Very, very positive. The gloom was gone with the bad weather, it was a wonderful day at Sneem.”
Dr. Ganzo said they have about nine vials of vaccine left and will provide more vaccines this weekend.
Those who took a hit spent their brief period of observation in Dan Murphy’s bar.
Its owner, Sean O’Sullivan, said there has been a “great change in atmosphere” in the town in recent days.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, O’Sullivan said “a huge boost” can be seen in everyone’s mood.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel for us. Hopefully in June we will reopen and hopefully we will stay open this time. Normal, just back to normal.
“It has been a long year. We will wait patiently and hopefully everything will work out.”
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