Between 28-31 January, Semmelweis University staff administered the vaccine in nearly 200 nursing homes in Budapest. During the largest vaccination program so far, the COVID-19 vaccine was administered to 12,000 residents and social workers of nursing homes in four days. 500 health care workers of the university and employees of the Government Office participated in the program. Altogether, University staff vaccinated nearly 15,000 people in nursing homes and at the official vaccination stations on the last weekend of January.
On 26 December, 2020, the first COVID-19 vaccine was administered at Semmelweis University. The vaccination of health care workers and those involved in direct patient care was launched then, according to the vaccination schedule set up by the National Public Health Center. On 7 January, 2021, the vaccination of residents and workers of social institutions and nursing homes also started. Vaccines are administered by university staff in these institutions located in Budapest – said Dr. Attila Szabó, Vice-Rector for Clinical Affairs of Semmelweis University and President of the Clinical Centre. He also added that starting from 16 January, in addition to Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna vaccines were also used.
The largest vaccination program so far was held on the last weekend of the month, between 28-31 January, when university staff administered the vaccine to the residents and workers of nearly 200 social institutions in Budapest. In most cases, the first shot was given, which will be followed by a second one in three weeks. 500 health care workers of Semmelweis University, including specialists, physicians, residents from all the departments of the Clinical Centre, as well as PhD students and students of the Faculty of Medicine participated in the program. The staff of the Government Office provided support in the administrative tasks.
“12,000 residents and workers of social institutions and nursing homes received the vaccine in four days. Thus, the first vaccination was completed concerning all the nursing homes in the capital. Together with the vaccinations carried out at the four vaccination stations on campus, the staff of Semmelweis University administered the vaccine to about 15,000 people over a weekend.”, pointed out the Vice-Rector for Clinical Affairs.
Semmelweis staff taking part in the vaccination programme met at 6:10 a.m. every day at the Nagyvárad tér Theoretical Building. After the briefing, teams were set up at the Government Office of Budapest, each of them consisting of two physicians, two health care specialists, two administrators from the Government Office, and in several cases one medical student.
“I truly appreciate the work of the saff from the university and the Clinical Centre, who participated in the vaccination programme”, said Dr. Attila Szabó.
Ádám Szabó
Photo: Attila Kovács – Semmelweis University (illustration)
Translation: Katalin Illés-Romhányi
