VACCINATION teams have been sprinkling some creative and artistic magic to transform Covid vaccination centres in Limerick, Ennis and Nenagh into child-friendly spaces, as the vaccination programme reaches the youngest members of the population.
Ahead of the start of scheduled appointments for children aged 5 to 11 this Friday, youngsters of that age with underlying conditions had the first experience of the new arrangements when they attended the centres for vaccination earlier in the week.
Following the success of the programme for children aged 12 and over, vaccination staff have similarly been tailoring their greetings and interactions towards the younger age cohort, and efforts have been made in all three centres to soften the clinical appearance of the sites.
Mid-West Covid Vaccination Centres Operations Manager Nora Barry said: “This effort is aimed at softening the appearance of the sites for young children who may well be quite overwhelmed by the prospect of receiving a vaccination which they will have all heard so much about at home from older siblings, their parents, and on the news.
“The measures are being introduced across all three centres, and we’re deeply appreciative of the efforts of staff who, at a time when they’re also running scheduled and walk-in clinics for primary vaccinations and booster doses for all ages, have worked so hard to make the vaccination experience a positive one for little ones across the region,” she said.
“We are adding colourful posters and wall art to the interiors of the vaccination booths, and every child vaccinated will receive stickers. A member of staff will be on hand in the post-vaccination waiting area to talk to any children who might like to ask questions about vaccination, and we will also give the children a little snack treat when they’re leaving.”
“Vaccinators and administration staff, have created beautiful illustrations on the vaccination booths, providing great reassurance for younger children waiting in line with their parents or guardians to be called into the booths for vaccination. The feedback we’ve been getting has been very positive,” Ms Barry added.
Log on to https://bit.ly/3eZiZYh for a video glimpse of the child-friendly artwork in the Limerick centre.
