The nurse only found out 30 minutes before the injection that she would become the first healthcare worker in Ireland to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

CLINICAL nurse manager Bernie Waterhouse only found out 30 minutes before the injection that she would become the first healthcare worker in Ireland to receive the vaccine.

The Blackrock woman, who works in a Covid-19 designated ward at St James’s, said she was “happy to be involved in such a historic moment” and hopes the vaccine will help save lives.

2

2

Speaking to the Irish Sun after the jab, Bernie admitted that she was surprised to find herself first in line, explaining: “I had planned to get it as one of 500 to be vaccinated at James’s over the next two days.

“But other than that, I certainly didn’t know I was going to be the first healthcare worker until about half an hour before it actually happened.

“To begin with, I was a little worried because I didn’t know anyone who had had it before, but in the end I was very happy to have it.

“It just felt like getting the regular flu shot. There was nothing more than that. This will be a significant progression in the Covid journey the country has faced.

HISTORIC MOMENT

“It’s great that this vaccine is now available and hopefully it will change all of our lives for the better after a difficult 2020. It’s great to have this to end the year on a good note and start 2021 on a really positive note.”

Bernie added: “Since Christmas Eve we have received several community admissions in which we had not admitted community admissions for a long time, so I hope this can be a turning point for the country in fighting the pandemic.

“In order for us to control Covid, I think we all have to get it. And we, in particular, as healthcare workers, must be leaders in that field and show others that we are getting this not only for ourselves, but also for the care of our patients. ”

When asked what she looked forward to most when things returned to normal, the health worker said: “I think seeing family and friends.

“Obviously, because I work in a Covid neighborhood, my family social contracts have been very restricted, so I am looking forward to seeing family and friends again soon.

ANNIE’S ‘PRIVILEGE’

“Obviously, people must be aware not to ignore the guidelines regarding social distancing, the use of face masks, hand hygiene and the limitation of social contact, that everything must still happen.

“But this should probably allow us to reunite with the family a little more freely than we have been able to do at the moment.”

Meanwhile, a Dublin grandmother said she had the “privilege” of becoming the first person to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in the Republic of Ireland.

Annie Lynch, 79, of the Liberties, received the first jab administered in the country at St James Hospital this afternoon.

Annie’s first dose of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine was administered by CNM Deborah Cross around 1.30pm today.

Annie, who was born in Dublin’s Christchurch and raised in Liberties in the city center, now lives in Drimnagh.

Her husband John sadly passed away in September and she is a resident at the Mercers Institute for Successful Aging at St James Hospital.

Annie said: “I feel very privileged to be the first person in Ireland to receive the vaccine.

“Like everyone else, I’ve been looking forward to the vaccine and I really feel like there’s a little bit of hope now.

“It’s great that he’s here. Everything was explained to me very clearly beforehand.”