NI health trusts identify seven locations where they will administer Covid-19 vaccines seven days a week

Northern Ireland will need around 50-70% of people to take the coronavirus vaccine to build “population immunity”, the chief scientific advisor Professor Ian Young has said.
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The scientist was speaking to the press as the head of the vaccine programme in Northern Ireland Patricia Donnelly said the roll-out will be “good to go” on December 14 so long as regulatory approval is granted.

Ms Donnelly said: “The UK has decided to act on a four-nation basis. They have procured seven vaccines, of which the first two are imminently available.

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“The one you’ve probably heard the most of is the Pfizer vaccine. It’s currently with the MHRA, the Medicines andHealthcare products Regulatory Agency, for provisional licensing. We are awaiting that this week.

It's thought the roll out of the vaccination programme could start as this month.It's thought the roll out of the vaccination programme could start as this month.
It's thought the roll out of the vaccination programme could start as this month.

“We are all prepared to go for the beginning of this programme as soon as that vaccine is available. In preparation for that, we have recruited a number of additional vaccinators withi Trusts. There are already 800 people who are experienced vaccinators, who have had a successful winter flu programme that they’ve been involved in. They will become immediately available to us.”

She continued: We have over 600 people who have applied and many more have expressed an interest — they are in the process of appointment and further training for those who already have experience and full training for those who are new to vaccinations.”

Asked about the vaccination programme for health workers, she said: “We’re good to go. The Trusts have prepared, they have vaccinators already identified, they have locations already identified — there’s seven locations around Northern Ireland that Trusts will use.

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“We are good to go from the 14th if the vaccine arrives” and the necessary approvals and recommendations are granted.

Undated handout file photo issued by University of Oxford of research to develop a vaccine that could prevent people from getting Covid-19. Photo credit : University of Oxford/PA WireUndated handout file photo issued by University of Oxford of research to develop a vaccine that could prevent people from getting Covid-19. Photo credit : University of Oxford/PA Wire
Undated handout file photo issued by University of Oxford of research to develop a vaccine that could prevent people from getting Covid-19. Photo credit : University of Oxford/PA Wire

Professor Ian Young said: We are very concerned that everybody understand that while the process of producing these vaccines has been rapid, it’s been done with the highest possible attention to safety as well as effectiveness.

“When the vaccine becomes available, in order to achieve a high level of population immunity we will need probably somewhere between 50-70% of the population to take up the vaccine and for the vaccine to be effective.”

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