Nursing home staff and residents share an inspiring message of hope for the future after being vaccinated.
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HSE has shared a video of residents and staff from Plunkett Community Nursing Unit, Boyle, Co Roscommon expressing a heartfelt message of hope for the future after receiving their vaccine.
Those featured in the video explained how the pandemic has affected their lives since March 2020 and the things they've missed most that they're excited to get back.
One nurse said, "I've missed most the very simple things in life like having a cup of coffee with a friend, anytime you want.
"Just being able to hug somebody. I think everyone really needs human touch, you know, every day in our lives. It doesn't matter how small it is. A little pat on the shoulder or something like that can really improve your day. So that's what I really, really miss. A lot of the people here, I think that's what they miss as well."
While one of the residents explained how residents are "missing the visitors in a big way."
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Another resident explained what life has been like since the start of the pandemic:
"We're apart in the dining room now. I'm at a table of my own."
According to the HSE, the rollout of the vaccine in nursing homes in Ireland is almost complete. It is expected that 12,000 over 85s will be vaccinated in Ireland next week.
However, chairman of the National Public Health Emergency Team Professor Philip Nolan said that it will be around six weeks before we see case numbers fall to fewer than 100 per day. Starting with those over 85, vaccinations for the over-70 age group will begin this coming Monday. Another 42,000 people are expected to be vaccinated the following week.
GP practices are also set to begin administering vaccines from next week.
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Image via HSE on Twitter.
