Health minister sets out the next stage of NI vaccination drive

Q Radio News/PA

The next phase of Northern Ireland’s vaccination programme will have a sustained focus on pop-up walk-in clinics in high footfall locations, the health minister has said.

Robin Swann said there would be further initiatives in the drive to get more people vaccinated following the success of the Big Jab Weekend, which led to thousands of people receiving their first dose.

There were large queues at mass vaccination centres which offered the first jab to all adults as part of the initiative over the weekend.

Health Minister Robin Swann and Chief Medical Officer Sir Michael McBride watch an Irish Dancer entertaining Covid-19 vaccinators at the end of the The Big Jab Weekend at the SSE Arena, Belfast

Mr Swann thanked everyone who had contributed to the success of the initiative.

He said: “The vaccination drive will continue on a number of fronts.

“This next phase will include a sustained focus on localised pop-up walk-in clinics, both in high footfall locations and in areas where accessibility issues and other barriers may have impacted on take-up.

“The Big Jab Weekend has proven that there is still a strong demand for vaccination. Our aim will be to be bring forward a series of further opportunities at community level.”

Mr Swann added: “There will also be a big focus on further and higher education in September, as well as other take-up promotions.

“The number of participating pharmacies offering vaccination appointments will also be expanding.”

Health minister Robin Swann with vaccination staff

From Monday, vaccination opportunities will include:

– an ongoing rolling programme of localised walk-in clinics continuing into September.

– vaccination by appointment at around 50 participating pharmacies.

– the mass vaccination centres will be winding down their work in the coming weeks, as the buildings return to their normal roles. However, up until mid-September, they will continue to do walk-in second dose vaccinations and first doses for 16 and 17-year-olds.

– the vaccination centre inside the SSE Arena Belfast closed on Sunday. From Tuesday it will move outside the SSE Arena to the overflow car park, at the Water’s Edge, to continue delivering second dose vaccinations and first doses for 16 and 17-year-olds.

The health minister added: “I want to pay tribute to everyone involved in our vaccination programme. It is a huge collective effort to bring protection against Covid-19 to as many people as possible.

“My thanks go to everyone who played a part in the Big Jab Weekend. That includes, of course, the vaccinator teams as well as all those who worked behind the scenes to organise and promote it. There was a major and concerted effort to publicise the promotion and it worked.

“I also want to highlight the support that was received right across society – including from sports bodies, businesses, education, the community and voluntary sector, local government, trade unions, and many other organisations.”

Healthcare staff outside the SSE Arena, Belfast as the vaccination centre closes at the end of The Big Jab Weekend