Pop-up vaccine clinic for returning Athlone IT students and staff

The HSE has arranged a pop-up vaccination clinic on the Athlone IT campus next week for students and staff as they begin the new academic year.

The clinic will take place at the local campus on Wednesday next, September 29, a HSE spokesperson said.

The aim is to maximise vaccine uptake among anyone not yet vaccinated, including international students.

The Athlone vaccination clinic is one of eleven that will open on third level campuses next week, it was announced earlier today.

"Next week, thousands of students will start college for the first time. It is an incredibly exciting time for our third level sector," said Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris.

"To coincide with this, my department and the HSE have been working together to ensure we are doing everything we can to make our third level campuses as safe as is possible.

“Today, I can confirm the establishment of pop up vaccination clinics across the country to ensure maximum take up across the student population.

"In addition, vaccination centres near third level colleges will take walk-ins from third level students during Vaccination Week.

"There is no greater protection from Covid-19 than the vaccine. We have already seen a great uptake from young people and Vaccination Week offers anyone who hasn’t received their first or second dose the opportunity to seek protection," said the Minister.

The biggest vaccination centre in the Midlands had been located at the Athlone IT International Arena but it closed in late August. It was replaced with a smaller vaccination hub in Moate Community Centre.