Joy as local who nearly died from Covid gets vaccine

A 78-year-old Ballycumber man who was at death's door with Covid-19 last March has this week become the first resident of a nursing home in Offaly be vaccinated against the virus.

Michael Delaney, aged 78, said he was thrilled to receive the Pfizer BioNTech jab at Ferbane Care Centre yesterday (Thursday) morning.

"Michael contracted Covid last March and was very sick in intensive care. He was given an hour to live at one stage, but he fought back from his deathbed and was delighted to receive the vaccine," said Louise O'Sullivan of the Windmill Healthcare group which operates the nursing home in Ferbane.

"Michael came into us for respite after he contracted Covid, and liked it so much that he decided to stay. When he was getting the vaccination today there was a big smile on his face. He was absolutely thrilled."

The local man said that he felt "privileged" to be the first person in a nursing home in Offaly to receive the vaccine.

"Like everyone else, I have been waiting for the vaccine so that life can get back to some kind of normality," he said.

The 50 residents of Ferbane Care Centre received their jabs from a HSE vaccination team on site, and the 70 staff are due to be given their first dose of the vaccine, with Louise stating that all of the residents and staff are taking up the vaccination offer. Ferbane native Declan Brazil, the longest-serving member of staff, was the first employee to receive the vaccination.

“Declan has worked here for 45 years, starting when it was the Gallen Priory convent. Throughout all the changes in Gallen Priory, right up to Ferbane Care Centre, he has been the maintenance man through it all, and he was also thrilled to get the vaccine,” said Louise

“There’s a sense of joy that the vaccinations are taking place. It’s a first step back to life as we knew it, so there is a bit of euphoria around the place.”