Working Life: 'My mum and teacher sparked my love for science'

Yvonne Morrissey, business project manager, National Immunisation Office. Picture: Moya Nolan.

Yvonne Morrissey, business project manager, National Immunisation Office, HSE

“I’m originally from Cork, and two people in particular sparked my love for science — my mom worked in the lab in the North Infirmary before she got married, and I had an incredible biology teacher in secondary school.

“In college, I studied health science followed by public health and health promotion, and joined the team in the National Immunisation Office (NIO) in June 2006 to put my skills into action.

“I started out as an information officer, advanced to communications manager, and now work as a project manager. My days involve keeping projects on track, checking in with colleagues, and collaborating with vaccinators and vaccine advocates. I’m part of a small, driven team passionate about delivering high-impact campaigns and programmes.

“Nineteen years is a long time to work in an organisation and lots of things have changed in that time. We have lived through two pandemics and outbreaks of disease that can be prevented through vaccination. One thing that hasn’t changed in my time at the NIO is that vaccination continues to save lives.

“Memorable moments in my job include when the email came in to share the news that cases of rotavirus had dropped by over 70% in the first two years since the vaccine was introduced.

"In reality, that means there are 500 fewer hospitalisations each year thanks to free vaccine drops, when babies are aged two months and four months.

“I applaud the work our school vaccination teams did during the pandemic — they offered vaccines in HSE clinics and gave people lots of opportunities to get their children protected. This is not something that was possible in every country.

“Another strong memory is meeting Martin Smith, clinical nursing manager in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. Martin led the campaign for flu vaccination in his hospital and achieved top hospital uptake for four years running before he retired. 

"His leadership and enthusiasm was infectious.

“Mentioning meningitis always makes people sit up and I’m glad we can offer vaccines for free. Vaccination won’t prevent all cases, so it’s still important to be aware of the signs and act immediately.

“I’m settled in Kilkenny with my husband. In my spare time, you will find me at pottery class or in the garden trying to grow veggies and save the flowers from the dog ploughing through them.”