It’s a great day for the parish.

President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins have received the first dose of their Covid-19 vaccines.

The news was announced by the President’s office today in a statement explaining “their turn having come, President Higgins and Sabina were grateful to receive their first COVID-19 vaccination from their local GP on Friday.”

Their turn having come, President Higgins and Sabina were grateful to receive their first COVID-19 vaccination from their local GP on Friday.

— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) March 22, 2021

The President and Sabina (both 79) have been cocooning at Áras an Uachtaráin since the pandemic began, limiting contact with others and using Skype to communicate with international contacts.

Speaking to Newstalk last month, the President said he’ll be ‘very glad’ to get the vaccine once they start vaccinating people aged between 75 and 80.

“Sabina and I are in the category… 75-80. When they start that category, we’ll both be getting it. I’m not sure if it will be necessary to be showing which arm I had it on… but I’ll be very glad to get it.” he said.