Covid-19: NI vaccine centres offer jab to all adults

Anyone over the age of 18 is now able to book a Covid-19 vaccination at any of Northern Ireland's major vaccine centres.

The centres have been focused on vaccinating those aged between 18 and 39, with over 40s only able to get the jab at community pharmacies.

The centres are using the Pfizer vaccine for first doses.

A scheduled increase in Northern Ireland's Pfizer supply has allowed for more appointment availability.

Dr Patricia Donnelly, head of Northern Ireland's Covid vaccination programme, said that while 80% of the adult population have received their first dose and 60% their second dose "there's more to do and the Delta variant identifies what we have to do".

"We're trying to pick up the pace for that, because, while it's reassuring to hear there's no rise in serious illness, we should not take any of this for granted," she added.

She said while 50% of under 30s have been vaccinated "it has very definitely slowed".

"Every Thursday we'll release over 20,000 slots. In the first couple of weeks a lot of those were booked out in a day or two and then last week a bit slower than that and we're concerned that we're getting fewer people coming forward," Dr Donnelly said.

"Each trust is looking at where they could have opportunities to set up a mobile clinic and vaccinate these younger people."

She said there was also concern that some people in the 40-49 age group had still not come forward for their vaccine.

In a separate development, enhanced testing sites are to be set up in areas of Castlewellan, County Down, and in Londonderry after "a number of probable cases of the Delta variant were identified", the Public Health Agency (PHA) has said.

The PHA's Dr Bríd Farrell said it was a "precautionary measure" and asymptomatic people aged 18-40, from selected targeted neighbourhoods, would be asked to come forward for testing.

"By slowing the spread of the virus, this allows us to get more people in the community vaccinated and get protected against Covid-19 which is effective against the Delta variant," Dr Farrell said.

Two mobile testing units are located at Derry's Templemore Sports Complex and at Glendermott Church of Ireland.

A drive-through testing facility is also available at the Lycra company car park and a walk-in facility has been set up at Ulster University's Magee Campus on the Northland Road.

Those being asked to come forward for testing will be contacted, by post, from Friday.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Robin Swann said he has been contacted by people over the age of 40 who wanted to book their jab in a vaccine centre.

"The vaccination programme has already reached about 80% of 40-49-year-olds," said Mr Swann.

"I believe today's announcement will help push that figure up even higher."

The minister urged everyone to come forward for their jab as soon as possible, adding: "The emergence and spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant demonstrates that the virus remains a serious threat."

Northern Ireland has seven trust-run vaccination centres, located in Belfast, Londonderry, Omagh, Enniskillen, Craigavon and Ballymena.