UPMC Administers First COVID-19 Vaccines to Employees in Ireland
By: Daithí de Róiste
In a major step in the fight against COVID-19 in Ireland, UPMC Whitfield Hospital in Waterford today received a shipment of Pfizer’s vaccine and immediately began administering it to frontline health care workers.
Vaccines from this shipment will be allocated to UPMC employees, as well as health care workers from University Hospital Waterford (UHW), a local public hospital that regularly partners with UPMC to care for patients across the southeast of Ireland.
Catherine Kelly holds her COVID-19 vaccination record after receiving the first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at UPMC Whitfield.
“I am in awe of our employees for the work they have carried out during the pandemic. They have worked tirelessly on the frontline, taking care of our communities and providing vital services to patients in need,” said David Beirne, UPMC International senior vice president and managing director of UPMC in Ireland. “I would like to thank them for their efforts thus far as we reach such a significant milestone today.”
The vaccine delivery arrived from Dublin, and UPMC vaccinators began to administer the first doses in a dedicated clinic at UPMC Whitfield.
Catherine Kelly, director of pharmacy at UPMC Whitfield, was responsible for preparing the vaccine and was the first to receive it. She was quickly followed by six of her colleagues, who will form part of a team dedicated to vaccinating additional employees against COVID-19.
Providing trusted health care in Ireland since 2006, UPMC’s operations there also include UPMC Kildare Hospital in Clane and advanced radiotherapy centers in Waterford and Cork. Additional vaccination clinics at these facilities will be set up in the coming days.
