Birthday joy for Mayo's 'Auld Stock' as he receives his vaccine
by Stuart Tynan
ONE of Castlebar's most well-known faces received what he described as the 'best birthday present ever': a Covid-19 vaccine.
Johnny Mee, accompanied by his wife Mary, was celebrating his 87th birthday when he arrived for the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine today as the vaccination programme for over-85s began today at Dr. Stephen Patten's GP practice in the county town.
After getting the jab, Johnny, who pens the weekly 'Auld Stock' column in The Connaught Telegraph, said: “The staff were so efficient and courteous and they sang 'Happy Birthday' to me also!"
Johnny, a former county and town councillor, said that anyone concerned about getting the vaccine has nothing to worry about.
“They shouldn't be nervous. (The first jab) was all over in 30 second, and I'm looking forward to getting the second jab done.”
Dr. Patten said there was much excitement in getting the programme underway following a delay in the delivery of the vaccines to his practice, having received an email at 9.30 p.m last Monday that the vaccines were set to arrive.
“There was some difficulty getting it here, as well as throughout the county,” Dr. Patten told The Connaught Telegraph.
“We've been very busy getting the clinic up and running as quickly as possible but we're happy to be underway, and delighted to be giving Johnny his vaccine on his birthday also!”
On the roll-out so far from his practice, Dr. Patten said everyone his office rang to book in for the vaccine wanted it as they sought to be reunited with their families.
* See Alison Laredo's video with Johnny on our Facebook page.