Covid-19 Vaccines Are Now Available for Over 50’s in Brennans Pharmacy in Buncrana & Creeslough Stores

Brennan’s pharmacy have been approved by the HSE to offer COVID-19 vaccinations from the 21st of June, 2021. Currently, we are authorized to provide these COVID-19 vaccines to Irish citizens at least 50 years old using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. This program is reserved for those who were not yet able to receive any dose of vaccine. We are providing this service in our Buncrana & Creeslough pharmacy stores.

For each of the qualified people, one dose of vaccine will be administered. After 14 days, you will attain your fully vaccinated status. CLICK HERE to book your vaccination now if you are over 50 years of age.

COVID-19 Overview

By now, we are all well aware of COVID-19 since it has dominated our lives for over a year now. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a disease initially found in Wuhan City, China, from a novel coronavirus strain identified in December 2019. It can produce continual coughing, fever, or loss of smell or taste, and a range of other symptoms explained below.

Generally, the illness affects persons with weaker immune systems, senior citizens, and long-term illnesses like diabetes, cancer, and chronic lung disease (persons with comorbidities) much more severely. Unfortunately, as we are all now well aware, coronavirus can lead to more severe symptoms, prolonged hospitalization, prolonged symptoms known as long-covid or even death.

Identifiable Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Here are the three primary symptoms of coronavirus regardless of age, gender, nationality, and health status:

1. High Fever or Hot Body Temperature – You may feel that your body temperature is higher than usual with fever and/or headache.
2. Fresh Phlegm and Continuous Cough – Your coughing lasts for more than one to three hours within 12 to 24 hours. If you have respiratory issues like asthma, your cough will be worse compared to the usual.
3. Change and/or loss of taste and/or smell – You will notice that your sense of taste and/or smell changes rapidly once you eat. Loss of taste and/or smell happens after experiencing coughs and high fever.

Note: Most symptomatic patients experience at least one of the three.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent the Transmission of COVID-19?

Although these practices should be commonplace now, it’s important not to become complacent and to remember these key practices. To prevent the slow transmission and infection of COVID-19, practice the following:

• Wash both of your hands properly and regularly with antibacterial soap and clean flowing water.
• Clean your hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer after touching objects held by other persons.
• Maintain physical and social distancing with at least one meter from other people.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes, nose, mouth, or any part of the face and skin when it gets itchy.
• Cover the nose & mouth when sneezing and coughing.
• Stay indoors as much as possible, especially if you feel sick or unwell.
• Refrain from doing any activity to weaken your lungs, such as smoking or vaping.
• Use a face mask in public particularly, when in crowded indoor spaces.
• Improve the ventilation in rooms by opening windows and doors.

Are COVID-19 Vaccines Effective?

The majority of persons infected with the COVID-19 virus will have mild to moderate respiratory disease without the need for specialized treatment. However, it can be a deadly or extremely debilitating illness for others. COVID-19 vaccines offer the best protection against serious illness and death from coronavirus by triggering a person’s immune system to protect you from the disease. When you are fully vaccinated, your immune system will be much better prepared to fight off the serious impacts of coronavirus.

Notably, some people catch mild COVID-19 infection even after vaccination since our bodily immune system differs from one another. However, the vaccine reduces the likelihood of any severe symptoms or death.

As can be seen from various sources & studies, the rollout of the vaccination campaigns globally and across Ireland have dramatically reduced transmissions, serious illness, hospitalizations and death numbers.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine offered by Johnson & Johnson safe?

All the vaccines against COVID-19 offered in Ireland have to be tested and approved by various bodies to ensure that they are safe. Here are some of the reasons why:

• Vaccines require approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
• EMA approves only the most effective and the safest vaccines against coronavirus.
• Experts across the globe worked together to create a vaccine in the shortest possible time.
• Through the directives of the Irish government, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) makes sure that each side effect is addressed, reported, and treated accordingly.

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines that you should know beforehand?

Like any other medicine, the vaccines produced to fight against the coronavirus affection have side effects. Here are some facts that you need to know before heading to your scheduled vaccination:

• Some side effects of vaccines are generally mild and mostly moderate, while most vaccinated people do not get any.
• Most mild side effects include itching, soreness of arms/fingers, and inflammation of muscles where the vaccine has been injected.
• Within an hour after vaccination, some vaccinated people may feel sick, tired, and chilly, leading to mild fever.
• Like all medicines, there have been links to some very rare but severe side effects such as blood clotting.
• If you are unsure or hesitant about getting a vaccine please speak to any of our pharmacists at Brennan’s Pharmacy who will be happy to answer your questions in detail.

Do I Have to Get the Covid-19 Vaccines?

It is your choice whether to get the vaccination or not. You should read all of the information on the vaccinations available and ask reputable experts like our pharmacists or your GP if you have any questions. If you decide to get the vaccine, it’s best to get it as soon as possible so that you reduce your risk of serious illness and death. You can read the information on the vaccine that we are currently administering in Brennan’s Pharmacy below.

J&J Vaccine Leaflet

How long does the Covid-19 vaccines work after I receive it?

The vaccine needs 14 days before it takes full effect on your body. During these two weeks and thereafter, you should continue to follow minimum health standards such as wearing face masks, physical & social distancing, and avoiding public gatherings.

Do you need to practice safety precautions after getting vaccinated?

Vaccination is just one of the best ways to protect yourself against coronavirus infection. You can still spread the COVID-19 virus and get sick despite your vaccination status. This is particularly dangerous when you could spread it to people who have not yet been vaccinated.

Continue to follow the advice of HSE and the World Health Organization on limiting the spread of coronavirus even after your vaccination.

What vaccine will be available from the vaccination program with Brennans Pharmacy?

For qualified patients at least 50 years old and above, they will receive the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine. It offers 14-day immunity with a single dose which means you don’t need to return to jabbed with a second dose.

The community pharmacists deliver the vaccination process from start to end. Instead of receiving your vaccine inside a vaccination hub, signing up for the program of Brannan’s pharmacy works conveniently, especially for qualified working individuals. We are currently providing this service in our Buncrana & Creeslough stores only.

Feel free to ask questions or reservations to the vaccinators and staff on-site if you have any.

If you have any questions before receiving the vaccine, you can contact any of Brenanns pharmacy specialists here.

Click HERE to register and get approved for your COVID-19 vaccine.