Supply of AstraZeneca vaccines in NI to reach 500,000 doses by next month as ramp-up continues

This comes after a record 20,000 people – more than 1% of the entire population here – were vaccinated in a single day last week.

Northern Ireland’s vaccine roll-out is following a so-called “twin track” approach, with Pfizer vaccines being administered in mass centres run by health trusts and AstraZeneca vaccines being administered by GPs.

Dr Alan Stout, who chairs the British Medical Association’s GP committee in Northern Ireland, told the News Letter that, to date, approximately 150,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine had already been delivered to Northern Ireland, with another 80,000 expected in a “large tranche” due to be delivered in the coming days.

“As quickly as we get it, it will be given,” Dr Stout said. “Supply is always going to be the deciding factor and will be for weeks and months to come.

“We’ve already had 150,000 doses of AstraZeneca into Northern Ireland, and by mid-week this week there will be another 80,000 or so. By mid-February, the projection is that we’ll have about 350,000 doses in total and by early March we’ll be close to half-a-million doses.

“We had over 20,000 vaccines on one day in Northern Ireland between Thursday and Friday – so that’s over 1% of the population.”

The twin-track approach has seen those aged 65-69 invited to book appointments to receive the Pfizer vaccine at trust-run mass vaccination centres, while those aged 70-79 are being given appointments by their local GP.

The Royal College of GPs in Northern Ireland, as well as the British Medical Association’s Northern Ireland chair Dr Tom Black, have expressed concern that approach could see more vulnerable age categories waiting longer.

Dr Stout said that while there would be occasions when “some 65-year-olds will get the vaccine before some 79-year-olds”, he said the speed of the roll-out meant “you’re only talking about a matter of days”.

Older People’s Commissioner Eddie Lynch, meanwhile, said his office has been contacted by older people concerned about the issue.

“My office has been receiving calls from older people in relation to the online booking system where 65-69 year olds can reserve a slot to receive their coronavirus vaccine,” Mr Lynch said. “Concerns are being raised that those aged 70 and over, may have to wait longer than those in a younger age group.”