Concern that midlands pharmacists are being overlooked for vaccination
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Fianna Fáil TD for Longford Westmeath, Joe Flaherty has raised concerns about the inclusion of midlands pharmacists and pharmacy staff in the vaccine rollout.
The Longford TD stated that he understands there is an issue with the rollout of vaccines for pharmacy staff in the four counties of Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly.
Deputy Flaherty commented: “It seems that pharmacists and pharmacy staff in many other health regions are now vaccinated, or the process is almost complete, but yet only a handful of those in the sector have been called locally.”
Concern that Longford pharmacists are being overlooked during a respiratory crisis
Flaherty calls on Minister and HSE to address concerns over inclusion of local pharmacists and staff in vaccine rollout
Reporter: );
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Fianna Fáil TD for Longford Westmeath, Joe Flaherty has raised concerns about the inclusion of local pharmacists and pharmacy staff in the vaccine rollout.
The Longford TD stated that he understands there is an issue with the rollout of vaccines for pharmacy staff in the four counties of Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly.
Deputy Flaherty commented, “It seems that pharmacists and pharmacy staff in many other health regions are now vaccinated, or the process is almost complete, but yet only a handful of those in the sector have been called locally.”
The Health Service Executive and the Department of Health are being urged to widen the range of healthcare professionals eligible to administer the Covid-19 vaccine.
Radiographers, radiation therapists, retried medics and doctors looking to volunteer for free all claim they are willing to become vaccinators - but that their offers to help have been rebuffed.
Pharmacists also claim they are unlikely to work in mass vaccination centres in a row over fees.
The HSE recruitment drive for vaccinators is focused on doctors, nurses, paramedics, pharmacists, physiotherapists, midwives, and emergency medical technicians.
However, on Thursday, the HSE extended the closing date for vaccinator applications for a second time to 23 March. The closing date had initially been fixed for 2 March.