Westmeath Covid-19 vaccination centre to close

Due to a large reduction in the numbers of people presenting at Covid-19 vaccinations centres, the HSE have decided to reduce the number to 15 across the country.

They say there will be enough vaccination capacity in the 15 centres in addition to participating GPs and pharmacies who will continue to provide Covid-19 vaccinations.

In the Midlands Louth Meath CHO, there will be vaccination centres at Simonstown Gaels in Navan, Fairways Dundalk and Portlaoise.

Centres operating in Westmeath, Longford and Offaly will close in line with national plan.

In a statement this afternoon, the HSE acknowledge all those who worked in the centres that are to close, the organisations and agencies who supported the work in the centres and “most importantly to all those who presented for vaccination at these centres”.

Dates of closure

Westmeath Vaccination Centre, which has operated at different locations, currently located at Moate, has administered 158,234 since opening in 2021 and will close on Wednesday June 8.

Longford Vaccination Centre, located at Clonguish GAA Club, which has up to this week administered 43,946 vaccinations, will close Friday May 20.

• Offaly Vaccination Centre, which has operated a different locations, currently located at Mucklagh, has administered 94,000 vaccines; it will close on Tuesday May 24.

In Westmeath, 12 GP practices and 19 pharmacies will continue to provide vaccinations; in Longford it is 11 GP practices and eight pharmacies; and in Offaly, 11 GPs practices and 10 pharmacies.

This information is available on HSE.ie.

HSE mobile vaccination teams will continue to operate within all areas throughout the summer and will continue to deliver vaccination doses to those who are homebound and residents of long term residential centres.

The HSE will also put in place a number of pop-up vaccination teams that will be available to support particular locations if access to vaccination becomes a challenge.

As is currently the case, vaccination is by using the on line HSE vaccination self-scheduler. Registration is currently available at vaccine.hse.ie. A PPS Number, Eircode, mobile phone number and email address are required for registration.

Des O’Flynn, CHO Midlands Louth Meath, said it was important to acknowledge the work and commitment of all staff in the three centres that are closing, Westmeath, Longford and Offaly: “The staff have worked tirelessly to vaccinate our communities as speedily and safely as possible. This is reflected in the number of vaccines – more than 296,000 in total in the three centres – which tells its own story and speaks volumes of the huge effort made by staff.

“The support and cooperation of colleagues across the wider HSE, as well as from local representatives was also welcome.

“I would also like to thank the people of the Midlands and allmembers of the public for availing of the facilities to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their families and loved ones and their communities. Vaccines are working and are helping to prevent severe illness across the county.”