AN IRISH woman who died nine years ago has received a letter informing her she is due to receive a Covid-19 vaccine next week.
In the latest in a catalogue of errors from the Irish Government, the family of Alice Kavanagh were sent a letter telling them she was due to receive the AstraZeneca jab Lansdowne Road on April 12.
Alice, who was a diabetic, tragically died after suffering a brain clot on April 14, 2012. She was just 49.
Speaking exclusively to the Irish Sun her surviving husband Derek described the upset the letter caused to both him and his now adult children.
He said: "I was shocked. It brings it all back really because it's her anniversary next week and the we get this letter about her being invited for the vaccine before it.”
Derek added "It just shows you what a mess the whole vaccine roll-out has been.”
The letter explained that Alice was being invited for a vaccine because she had “attended or are currently attending the Endocrine Unit in St Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown” while receiving treatment for her diabetes.
"You are invited to attend the vaccination centre in the Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4, for your first dose of the Astra Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine on Monday, 12th April 2021 at 12.10pm,” the note explained.
"We are aware that for some this may mean you have a distance to travel and this may not be suitable for you. If this is the case, we would advise you to contact your GP to discuss alternatives."
Derek said the blunder is just another example of how badly the Irish Government are handling the rollout. He noted that his daughter lives in Australia where shops and offices are now beginning to reopen as the distribution of jabs continues apace down under.
"That's how far ahead they are but where are we? This needs to be brought to the Government's attention because this could be holding the whole thing up, making appointments for dead people is shocking.”
Covid-19 vaccineDerek’s criticism was echoed by one of his two sons, Stephen, who works in hospitality and has “zero faith in the whole process”.
Alice’s son Stephen said it emphasises the shambles that the Government’s roll-out plan.
He told the Irish Sun: “What kind of faith would you have in the roll-out programme if they’re sending letters to dead people. How many more of these letters have gone out?”
The HSE has refused to comment on this specific case though did note some “human error may occur” and apologised for any distress caused.
