Kilian McGreal of McGreals Pharmacy Group is in late stage discussions with the office of the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly about establishing a drivethrough Covid 19 vaccination centre at McGreals Primary Care Centre car park in Blessington.
The Minister for Health is set to ask the Cabinet to approve an agreement with doctors and pharmacists to administer Covid-19 vaccines.
Talking about the proposed drivethrough vaccination centre, Kilian McGreal, Managing Director McGreals Pharmacy Group said: ‘It is an ideal way of administering the vaccine safely to large numbers. We have a pharmacy co-located on the grounds of the Primary Care Centre in Blessington, so a drive-through vaccination centre could be coordinated through the pharmacy.
‘We have the traffic flow management and physical infrastructure already in place. There are two car parks in the Primary Care Centre and one of them could be converted into a drivethrough vaccination centre. There is no reason why we can’t set up on the vaccination centre in conjunction with the HSE and local GPs. We already have the perfect physical set-up.’
A change in vaccination legislation means people can remain in their cars to receive the vaccination during the cold winter months. An observation area would be established so those who have just received the vaccination can park for 15 minutes and remain inside their vehicles while being observed.
‘We believe Pharmacists can play a key role in the nationwide Covid 19 vaccination roll out and we look forward to being a part of it,’ added Kilian.
