Outgoing GAA President John Horan has called on clubs to make their facilities available to aid with the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines.
He says clubs across the country could help to create centres for pharmacists and doctors to administer vaccines in the coming months.
“Seeing how GAA clubs and club volunteers stepped up and responded in such huge numbers and worked so hard in their communities was one of the silver linings to the cloud that has been COVID-19," he wrote in a farewell address, ahead of handing over to incoming President Larry McCarthy next month.
“It really underlined what we have known all along about the club being at the heart of the communities they represent.
“I have had conversations with GPs who have concerns about their practices being set up to adequately cater for the numbers that will be involved in administering the vaccine because in many cases they are just not suitable for the turnover in people that will be involved.
“It is with this in mind that I would make a plea to our membership that they would engage with the GPs and Pharmacies in their area to make their club facilities available where needed to make the roll out of the vaccine operate as efficiently as possible.
"Clubs would need to ensure that they follow all of the appropriate guidance and that their offer of assistance will be subject to submission and approval of proof of valid insurance and risk management controls from the operator to the GAA insurance department or Marsh Ireland.
“Our clubs and club members were at the forefront of the community response to this crisis when it hit last March.
“I think there will be an opportunity to again offer assistance in our local areas in this manner as the country hopefully starts to move towards mass vaccination in the weeks and months ahead.”
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