Disability rights campaigner ‘relieved’ to get vaccine

GREENCASTLE disability rights campaign, Dermot Devlin, has spoken of his relief after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine earlier this week.

Mr Devlin and his family got the jab at Owenkillew Community Centre as part of phase two of the vaccination programme, which targets many of those who are considered to be clinically vulnerable and their carers.

“We received a letter this week to call us for the vaccine. Myself, my brother and parents were all vaccinated through the Sperrin Family practice,” he said.

“Everything was very well set-up and organised. The practice phoned us on Monday to inform us that we would be vaccinated at 10.30am the following morning and that was exactly how things worked out.

“It feels great to have got the first dose of the vaccine because you just wanted things to go according to plan, especially after the uncertainty at the weekend over the supply. It’s definitely a massive relief.”

Dermot, who founded My Way Access, had been extremely worried about the coronavirus and has spent much of the past year shielding.

He said he is continuing to take no chances as the current lockdown continues into next month.

“It’s going to be a few more weeks before I get the second dose of the vaccine. Until that happens, I won’t be letting down my guard because you can’t be too careful,” he added.