COVID-19: Warning to remain "ultra-vigilant" as NI prepares for vaccine
The first recipients of the new coronavirus vaccine in Northern Ireland are preparing to get their first jab tomorrow (Tuesday).
The vaccine has already arrived and vaccinators and people aged 80 or over will be among the initial group to receive it.
The UK's ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer-BionTech vaccination in total, enough for 20 million people.
While welcoming its arrival, Health Minister Robin Swann warned that Northern Ireland was entering a new phase in the Covid-19 pandemic, with “hopes and fears” sitting side by side.
And he urged everyone to remain “ultra-vigilant” when it comes to stopping the spread of the virus.
“We still have a number of crucial days left of the current lockdown measures and we need to fully maximise the benefit from these,” he said. “The more we stay at home and minimise our contacts with each other, the more we can push down infection rates.
“That way, we can protect each other and help give the health service some vital breathing space.”