Corfu vaccination centres trying to operate without necessary staff
vaccination
24 Nov 2021
/ 17:51
CORFU. All other needs of the patients seem to be of secondary importance – There is always a risk of spreading the virus.
The island's vaccination centres are at their limit since people started receiving the third booster shot, while appointments for the first shot have also increased.
Most of the vaccinations were being done at the Mega Vaccination Centre, which had opened for a specific period of time, and under much safer conditions. The fourth wave of the pandemic, however, along with the increased vaccination needs, placed an unbearable burden on the understaffed facilities.
Corfu Health Centre
The Corfu Health Centre’s minimal staff has to do 280 to 300 vaccinations without any days off or leaves. The Director of Corfu Health Centre Sofia Mavropoulou-Kavvadia pointed out that the three nurses who were suspended were never replaced, while one is on long-term sick leave. At the same time, of the five doctors, one has resigned and one surgeon is on sick leave. “Now there are only two doctors and myself, but I am also the Director. It should be reminded that the Health Centre does not only do vaccinations, but also provides all kinds of health services. We will be forced to take some of the staff doing home vaccinations, resulting in the latter being left behind – as will check-ups, and even more so when people can no longer do them at the hospital.”
No response
Since October 1, the security staff responsible for getting patients in line and checking them is no longer available. “Around 800 people pass through the centre every day for all kinds of needs – including vaccinations – and there is always the risk of spreading the virus, both among patients and staff. Thus, a nurse has to take on this task. We have sent numerous letters to the Health Region, the Ministry and the Civil Protection Service, but to no avail,” said Mrs. Mavropoulou.
Lefkimmi vaccination centre
The Lefkimmi vaccination centre is in danger of closure, despite the fact that, lately, 90 to 100 vaccinations are being conducted daily. Dr. Giorgos Sayias said that the contracts of the two nurses hired by the South Corfu Municipality will expire on 31 December. Despite repeated requests to the Ministry of Interior, he has not received a response. “If nothing is done, then we will have to hand over the vaccination centre to the Ministry of Health,” he said.
Other solutions
They are finding other solutions to try to meet the needs at the Agios Markos Health Centre. “At the moment we are doing around 100 vaccinations while from 1 December the appointments are doubled”, the Head of the vaccination centre Niki Mouzakiti told Enimerosi. “We will be forced to take staff from the Corfu Medical Social Center, which will unfortunately weaken the public health services provided to children and Roma, who do not have the opportunity to go to private doctors,” she added.
Overcrowding
The lack of security guards at the health centre is a very serious problem. “Without a person at the centre’s entrance, everyone is cramped into a small space – a situation that favours the spread of the virus,” said Mrs. Mouzakiti.
Agios Athanasios Health Centre is in a similar situation. According to the Head of the vaccination center Mr. Vlachos, there are now 200 - 230 appointments per day. “During the previous vaccination period, it became evident that it is impossible to provide service to more than 150 people with the existing staff. In addition, the lack of security at the centre creates overcrowding, especially now that the weather does not allow waiting outside” added Mr. Vlachos.
Increase in first shots
Corfu Hospital is now only dealing with Covid cases, since the two Covid Units, the ICU and the vaccination centre are full of them. According to Dr. Konstantina Armeni, who is responsible for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, there are around 600 vaccinations per day – 500 Pfizer and 100 Johnson & Johnson. “Apart from the third shots, there is also an increase in first shots following the announcement of the new measures for the unvaccinated,” she told Enimerosi. The shifts are covered by doctors who are not on call and by nurses coming from the Corfu Hospital regular outpatient clinics, due to the latter being suspended.
Waiting and... patience
These problems result in overcrowding and protests. “If there were enough staff, there should have been more vaccination rooms, especially since the outpatient clinics have been suspended. People should have patience and be understanding towards us, who do not have time to stop even for a few minutes. But above all, they must get vaccinated!” said Mrs. Armeni.
Most of the vaccinations were being done at the Mega Vaccination Centre, which had opened for a specific period of time, and under much safer conditions. The fourth wave of the pandemic, however, along with the increased vaccination needs, placed an unbearable burden on the understaffed facilities.
Corfu Health Centre
The Corfu Health Centre’s minimal staff has to do 280 to 300 vaccinations without any days off or leaves. The Director of Corfu Health Centre Sofia Mavropoulou-Kavvadia pointed out that the three nurses who were suspended were never replaced, while one is on long-term sick leave. At the same time, of the five doctors, one has resigned and one surgeon is on sick leave. “Now there are only two doctors and myself, but I am also the Director. It should be reminded that the Health Centre does not only do vaccinations, but also provides all kinds of health services. We will be forced to take some of the staff doing home vaccinations, resulting in the latter being left behind – as will check-ups, and even more so when people can no longer do them at the hospital.”
No response
Since October 1, the security staff responsible for getting patients in line and checking them is no longer available. “Around 800 people pass through the centre every day for all kinds of needs – including vaccinations – and there is always the risk of spreading the virus, both among patients and staff. Thus, a nurse has to take on this task. We have sent numerous letters to the Health Region, the Ministry and the Civil Protection Service, but to no avail,” said Mrs. Mavropoulou.
Lefkimmi vaccination centre
The Lefkimmi vaccination centre is in danger of closure, despite the fact that, lately, 90 to 100 vaccinations are being conducted daily. Dr. Giorgos Sayias said that the contracts of the two nurses hired by the South Corfu Municipality will expire on 31 December. Despite repeated requests to the Ministry of Interior, he has not received a response. “If nothing is done, then we will have to hand over the vaccination centre to the Ministry of Health,” he said.
Other solutions
They are finding other solutions to try to meet the needs at the Agios Markos Health Centre. “At the moment we are doing around 100 vaccinations while from 1 December the appointments are doubled”, the Head of the vaccination centre Niki Mouzakiti told Enimerosi. “We will be forced to take staff from the Corfu Medical Social Center, which will unfortunately weaken the public health services provided to children and Roma, who do not have the opportunity to go to private doctors,” she added.
Overcrowding
The lack of security guards at the health centre is a very serious problem. “Without a person at the centre’s entrance, everyone is cramped into a small space – a situation that favours the spread of the virus,” said Mrs. Mouzakiti.
Agios Athanasios Health Centre is in a similar situation. According to the Head of the vaccination center Mr. Vlachos, there are now 200 - 230 appointments per day. “During the previous vaccination period, it became evident that it is impossible to provide service to more than 150 people with the existing staff. In addition, the lack of security at the centre creates overcrowding, especially now that the weather does not allow waiting outside” added Mr. Vlachos.
Increase in first shots
Corfu Hospital is now only dealing with Covid cases, since the two Covid Units, the ICU and the vaccination centre are full of them. According to Dr. Konstantina Armeni, who is responsible for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, there are around 600 vaccinations per day – 500 Pfizer and 100 Johnson & Johnson. “Apart from the third shots, there is also an increase in first shots following the announcement of the new measures for the unvaccinated,” she told Enimerosi. The shifts are covered by doctors who are not on call and by nurses coming from the Corfu Hospital regular outpatient clinics, due to the latter being suspended.
Waiting and... patience
These problems result in overcrowding and protests. “If there were enough staff, there should have been more vaccination rooms, especially since the outpatient clinics have been suspended. People should have patience and be understanding towards us, who do not have time to stop even for a few minutes. But above all, they must get vaccinated!” said Mrs. Armeni.
