I boarded the number 41 bus at Abbey Street. The stop at which I was to alight for the vaccine centre was two stops after the airport. I was slightly apprehensive disembarking. It was just before a fairly major roundabout. The vaccine centre was off the third exit. There were no pedestrian crossings to aid my passage across the roads. Traffic was heavy on the busy road. I took my chances and darted across each junction during the brief milliseconds it seemed safe. There were no footpaths on the road off the third exit, so I walked along the grassy verge along the dimly lit highway to the Show Centre. It took about ten minutes, as I stayed as close to the ditch as possible to avoid the approaching traffic.

Upon arrival I thought that being fifteen minutes early might mean my 5.30 appointment would be advanced. No such luck. The centre was only opening at 5.30pm. I waited in the cold until called and I was asked the standard questions at intake. I had the vaccine in my left arm; waited the fifteen minute recovery time, and made my exit.

The journey back to the bus stop felt even more hazardous. I made it in one piece and returned home.

I understand that previous vaccination centres at Croke Park and Lansdowne Road and The Helix are all now reopened for their regular functions, and are no longer used to vaccinate the masses. I really think the HSE need to rethink the use of the National Show Centre as a vaccination centre however. It is dangerous to access for people without cars. It is not serviced by accessible public transport, nor by roads with either footpaths or pedestrian crossings.

Not much point in getting vaccinated if you’re going to be mowed down by traffic.