Derry care home reassures families ahead of start of COVID-19 vaccination programme on Monday

Michelle McMackin, manager of the Seymour Gardens care home in Nelson Drive, said the development was an important breakthrough.

"I'm delighted to be welcoming the COVID-19 vaccination. We will be rolling out our programme from Monday, December 14.

"Can I just assure relatives that we will liaise with them? We will get consent for our residents that have a dementia diagnosis and we will also consider and liaise with GPs.

"We have done our best to try and keep our residential home COVID-19 free. So I am absolutely delighted for the staff and myself and the residents of Seymour to welcome this vaccine," she said.

Ms. McMackin said people should not be fearful of the vaccine.

"Please do not be worried about the side effects. There may be some slight allergic reactions but it may be like flu-like symptoms. Please don't worry. We will constantly liaise with the GPs.

Janette Lynch, a senior care assistant at the home, said: "Once you get the vaccination you can carry on your business as usual but still must wear a face covering and exercise frequent hand-washing and social distancing."

Dr. Bob Brown, the Trust’s Director of Primary Care and Older people's services, said: "This is the best way of protecting people from COVID-19 and the roll-out of the vaccine is going to be really, really important. We hope that all staff and all residents of our care homes will have this vaccine as soon as it becomes available."