ULSTER GAA SECRETARY Brian McAvoy has urged young people to get vaccinated against Covid-19 ahead of the start of the club championship season.
With the club season due to get underway across the province in the coming weeks, McAvoy has publicly encouraged young people in Ulster to get the vaccine in order to “reduce the risk of further spread of the virus.”
His comments come just days after Tyrone saw their All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Kerry postponed due to an outbreak of Covid-19 in the Tyrone camp, with joint-manager Feargal Logan since confirming to the Irish Examiner that not all of their squad have been vaccinated.
In a statement released by Ulster GAA, McAvoy says that while he accepts getting the vaccine is “an individual choice”, he feels the benefits are “clear for all to see.”
This weekend will see the Department of Health in Northern Ireland run a “Big Jab Weekend” in a bid to increase vaccine uptake.
Ahead of the club championship season, Ulster GAA Secretary Brian McAvoy has urged young people to avail of the opportunity to receive the #COVID19 vaccine.
— Ulster GAA (@UlsterGAA) August 19, 2021
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“Young people have sacrificed much during the pandemic, but now the vaccine offers a route map towards a way of life that only 18 months ago we took for granted,” McAvoy said.
“The return of spectators to sporting events has had huge benefits to society and long may this continue.
“However, we want these games and sporting events to continue and as the inter-county season draws to a conclusion, the club championships will take centre stage in the GAA calendar.
“In recent weeks we have witnessed the postponement of games at numerous levels in the Association as Covid-19 case numbers rise, and it is incumbent on all of us to take whatever measures we can to reduce the risk of further spread of the virus and to protect our families and communities.
“The contagious ‘Delta’ variant has become the dominant form of coronavirus and more young people have become ill through this strain than had been the case with previous ones.
“Worryingly, the vast majority of people hospitalised in recent weeks have not been vaccinated and this is putting additional pressure on an already over-burdened health service workers.
“The evidence therefore suggests that you are less likely to become seriously ill if you have been vaccinated.
”I realise that it is an individual choice for each person but in choosing whether or not to take the vaccine, they should do so based on information available from reliable sources. For me the benefits are clear for all to see, both on and off the GAA fields.
“Vaccinations are available at a range of facilities in both jurisdictions, including in some local pharmacies, and this weekend will see a concerted effort in the north to get more people vaccinated under the ‘Big Jab Weekend’ initiative.”
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