NI Covid-19 booster jab might not be offered to everyone - Plans booster scheme could be delivered alongside seasonal flu jab

A Covid-19 vaccine booster is likely to be offered to some but not all groups of people in Northern Ireland this coming winter, the Stormont Health Committee has heard.
Andrew Quinn
By Andrew Quinn
Published 6th May 2021, 11:45 BST
Updated 6th May 2021, 11:46 BST
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The head of Northern Ireland s Covid-19 vaccination scheme, Patricia Donnelly, briefed the committee on Thursday morning.

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Ms. Donnelly also confirmed that 100 per cent of people aged 80 and over in Northern Ireland are now fully vaccinated.

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Replying to questions from Health Committee Chairperson, Colin Gildernew, MLA, Ms. Donnelly confirmed there was a chance the booster jab would not need to be offered to the entire population.

"What we are hoping for from JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) is that when they give advice on who will get the booster, it might not be offered to the total population and it will be a single dose - we hope that they will take into consideration the winter flu programme.

"We hope JCVI will come forward with a recommendation to allow us to administer the booster and winter flu jabs at the same time - that would help ease pressure on our GP surgeries."

It is also anticipated that the vaccine booster jab will be offered to front line workers.

Patricia Donnelly, head of the Northern Ireland Covid-19 vaccine scheme.Patricia Donnelly, head of the Northern Ireland Covid-19 vaccine scheme.
Patricia Donnelly, head of the Northern Ireland Covid-19 vaccine scheme.
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JCVI has yet to announce which vaccine will be used for the booster jab.

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Related topics:Northern IrelandPatricia DonnellyJCVINI Covid-19