Number taking Covid jab down by a third

THE NUMBER of people taking COVID vaccines in Galway has fallen by almost 32 per cent.

This is according to the data presented by the HSE at the recent meeting of the Regional Health Forum West.

Galway City Councillor Shane Forde enquired if there is still a need for Covid jabs in the long term or “could it be phased out” in the next year or two.

He believes that people don’t want to take the jab anymore and the HSE should instead be promoting flu vaccines which can help control the surge in number of patients in the hospital during the winter months.

Regional Executive Officer for HSE West and North West, Tony Canavan stated that decisions around vaccines are made by the National Immunisation Oversight Committee.

He recommends that people should follow the clinical advice available through the Department of Public Health as “things change” very quickly.

The publicity campaigns run by the HSE, direct people about where and when they can receive the vaccines, and also which vaccines are most appropriate for their own circumstances at the time.