Urgent action needed on vaccines

Sir, – Vaccine urgency is indeed what is needed. One year on and in our third protracted lockdown, we need to get out fast to prevent further personal and economic damage.

Two things are necessary – a continued supply of vaccine and adequate personnel to run vaccination clinics seven days a week, in addition to GP and pharmacist vaccination, until the entire country is vaccinated.

Why is our Government not trying to source an additional supply of Covid vaccines, as other European countries are doing, especially as Micheál Martin states that there are “challenges” (News, March 6th) in reaching even the March target with our current supply?

Why the deterrents to recruiting retired nursing staff? When a retired nurse friend of mine rang to volunteer for the vaccination program, she was told she would have to do four courses, including one on manual handling of vaccines, and re-register with An Bord Altranais before starting vaccinating people!

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I’m sure the same conditions apply to retired doctors and pharmacists.

It really is simple and urgent – get an additional supply and get people vaccinated.

Taoiseach, please can you get on with it? – Yours, etc,

ANN-MARIE O’BYRNE,

Clonmel,

Co Tipperary.