The rollout of the Covid vaccinations for the over 85s in the community is now underway, and according to Galway based Minister Anne Rabbitte, 16,000 will receive their first jab this week.

The Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability, Equality and Integration   has confirmed that the Podiatry Unit in Merlin Park, Galway will be the site for the GP Vaccination Clinic for patients of 13 smaller GP practices across county Galway and the practices in question will be notified this week.

While vaccinations for all people over the age of 85 is nationally underway from today, they will be followed by 80-85 year olds, 75-80 year olds  and then 70-75 year olds.

The Merlin park venue has already been used for the vaccination of GP’s and practice teams with second doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines being administered there over the weekend.

Minister Rabbitte told Midwest News today that transport will be made available for those who will require it to get to a vaccination centre

All GP Practices that have over 200 people over the age of 70 will also begin their vaccination roll out this week and patients will be informed in due course.

Minister Rabbitte has been speaking to Midwest News Editor Teresa O’Malley about the operation now underway.