101-year-old Peg Curtin is amongst those to have completed the Covid vaccination programme at Oaklodge Nursing Home in Cloyne, Co Cork.
Specialising in care for people living with dementia, Oaklodge Nursing Home centre in East Cork has now successfully vaccinated 98 per cent of its residents and staff - with the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine being administered today.
One of the country's first nursing homes to complete their Covid-vaccination programme, 101-year-old resident Peg Curtin was amongst those who received the second dose of the vaccine earlier this morning.
Asked how she felt on receiving her second dose, Peg commented:
"I’m absolutely delighted to get the vaccine and thank God every day that I’m still here."
Managing to remain completely Covid-free throughout the entirety of the pandemic, Oaklodge has continuously innovated over the past year to enhance the safety and quality of life/care for their residents. No easy feat I think you'll agree.
The first to pilot innovative remote temperature checking software than can detect early Covid-19 warning symptoms, the nursing home also introduced regular rapid Covid testing of staff and visitors in addition to fortnightly HSE testing.
Other measures to have been introduced at the centre include daily prescriptions of Vitamin D doses, implementing the Akara Robotics Infection Control Programme which uses UV light to disinfect and stop the spread of infection and the hiring of a Covid Compliance Officer who assisted with education, training and management on the topic of Covid-19.
Expressing his excitement at the nursing home having completed its vaccination programme, owner of Oaklodge Diarmuid Ó Dálaigh said:
"Covid-19 has presented unparalleled challenges for nursing homes throughout the country for the last 12 months and, at Oaklodge, we worked to consistently protect our residents and staff while simultaneously maintaining quality of life and care throughout this pandemic."
Two per cent of staff and residents opted against vaccination for medical reasons.
