Fresh shipment of vaccines should see over-80s immune

The new shipment was announced in a press briefing with senior officials from the Stormont health department yesterday, when it was also confirmed the vaccination programme would soon move to ‘phase 2’ with the over-75s next in line to receive their jabs.

The head of the vaccine programme in Northern Ireland, Patricia Donnelly, said the roll-out to those living or working in care homes is “virtually complete”, with around 47% of those aged over-80 having received their first dose.

Dr Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer, sought to reassure anyone aged over 80 who hasn’t yet received their innoculation as he insisted no one has been forgotten about.

“I recognise this is an anxious time for everyone, particularly older people who are waiting on this vaccine.

“Many people have been almost confined to their homes with only very limited contact with their families and friends.

“It’s been a very isolating period for many people and I know how keen they are to get the vaccine. We will get to them. Please be patient. Your GP will contact you and will call you forward for the vaccine when it is available.

“Your GP is as keen to get the vaccine to you as you are to receive it. Everyone who is eligible, who needs the vaccine, will get the vaccine.”

Patricia Donnelly said: “GPs have been waiting patiently for this vaccine and we know today that will be availavble. We will get that delivered in the next few days.”

She added: “I think GPs may have been hesitant to contact people because they wanted to be sure the vaccine was there. Now they will have that assurance and they should make that contact.”

It has emerged that Northern Ireland has already vaccinated a higher proportion of the population than any other part of the UK.

Ms Donnelly said the use of the Pfizer vaccine in care homes might have been crucial in the speedy roll-out here.

“One of the crucial things we did that we did that I’m not sure that everybody did — we looked at the challenges and opportunityies that the Pfizer vaccine presented,” she said.

“We found a way, working with the regulator, to deploy it to care homes. I think we were the only home nation to be able to do that and so we have managed to complete our care home programme when other people were only commencing once they got Astra Zeneca.”

This comes amid a campaign by the News Letter and its sister titles across the UK for community pharmacies to be involved in the roll-out.