NI vaccine programme now open to 25-29 year olds

Booking is available from 8am on Thursday 20th

Author: Emma DicksonPublished 19th May 2021
Last updated 20th May 2021

Those aged between 25 to 29 years are now eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine from today (Thursday)

Vaccination slots are open to those born between 01/05/91 and 31/07/96 from 8am.

In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Downtown Radio & Cool FM's Head of News, Nigel Gould, yesterday, Health Minister Robin Swann revealed the programme would be extended to the younger age cohort.

Additional slots for the following weeks are to be released every Thursday.

In line with the latest JCVI advice, anyone under the age of 40 can book their vaccination at a trust centre in order to receive the Pfizer-BioTech vaccine.

If you are under 40 and wish to make an informed decision to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine there are slots available at the SSE arena and at participating community pharmacies.

Minister Swann said: “This announcement today will be welcome news for those within the age range and is a further testament to the successful delivery of the vaccination programme in Northern Ireland. Vaccination is vital in helping us move through this pandemic and there is no doubt that there are people in Northern Ireland alive today because they have been vaccinated.

“Next week we will see further easing of restrictions with the re-opening of licensed and unlicensed premises indoors, the remainder of tourist accommodation and the further relaxation to the rules over visiting indoors. This has been made possible because of the success of the vaccination programme and the majority of people acting on the public health advice. I appeal to everyone who is eligible for the vaccine to book an appointment. I know there are some younger people that think they don’t need the vaccine but we have seen what this virus can do and with variants now in the mix we all need to protect ourselves and those around us.”

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride added: “While the risk of severe disease is lower in younger people, some may get very sick. There is much we still have to learn about this virus and post COVID syndrome or “long COVID”, which can be very debilitating for some. In making the decision to get the vaccine you are protecting not only yourself, but also those that matter to you. Every vaccine really does bring us closer, together.”

People making bookings are asked to be patient, as demand for appointments is expected to be strong.

How to book your Covid-19 vaccination:

If possible, booking for the vaccination centres should be done online at covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated

However, where online booking is not possible, the telephone booking number is 0300 200 7813.

Details of participating pharmacies and how to book are online at: covid-19.hscni.net/community-pharmacy-covid-19-vaccination-service

Landmark dates in NI's vaccination programme:

21st December 2021

Northern Ireland's largest vaccination centre at the TEC, Titanic Quarter Belfast, opens it s doors for booster walk-ins and appointments.

September 11th 2021

A pop-up clinic at the Limelight provided vaccinations and free gig tickets to those taking up the jab

September 8th 2021

The Health and Agriculture Ministers have jointly urged the farming and rural community to protect themselves from Covid-19 through vaccination. The appeal in the farming and rural community will provide walk-in vaccinations at September's Balmoral Show.

August 22nd 2021

Vaccination staff at the SSE Arena at the end of the Big Jab Weekend.

June 24th 2021

Northern Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination centres are now offering first dose appointments to everyone aged 18 and over

June 27th 2021

80% of the adult population have now a first jab and close to 60% are fully vaccinated with both doses. The two million mark has been reached, as the centre opens for walk-in vaccinations at the SSE Arena Belfast.

May 18th 2021

Over a million people in Northern Ireland have now received their first Covid-19 vaccine dose.

May 11th 2021

Department of Health confirmed half a million people have received both doses of the Coronavirus vaccine

April 2020

At the end of April 2020 Oxford University launched a trial testing a potential Covid-19 on human participants.

30th April 2021

Limited availability for those aged 30 to 34 to book a Covid-19 vaccine.

26th April 2021

Vaccination slots are open to those born between 01/04/81 and 30/04/86 across NI.

10th April 2021

One million doses of the Covid vaccine have now been administered in Northern Ireland.

19th April 2021

35-39 year olds are offered a limited opportunity to book a covid vaccine.
This is in advance of opening the programme to the entire 35-39 age group by the end of April.

8th April 2021

People aged 40-44 now able to book their vaccination appointments across Northern Ireland.

7th April 2021

Under 30s will be offered alternative to AstraZeneca vaccine due to 'small number' of blood clots.
READ MORE

31st March 2021

Health Minister Robin Swann received his first dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine at Ballee Community Pharmacy, he urged others who are eligible to do the same.

30th March 2021

In an effort to bring the jab to local high streets and rural areas, hundreds of community pharmacies and chemists joined the vaccine rollout.

29th March 2021

The carpark at the SSE Arena in Belfast was a Covid-19 testing facility. Meanwhile the arena inside was transformed into a vaccination site to administer around 40,000 vaccines per week.
READ MORE

28th March 2021

50% of Northern Ireland's adult population receive a covid vaccine, with a total of 719,260 administered by March 28th.
READ MORE

27th March 2021

First Minister Arlene Foster was given an AstraZeneca jab at the Castle Park Leisure Centre in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh.

14th March 2021

Vaccine roll-out continues across Northern Ireland despite temporary halt to AstraZeneca jab in the Republic. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommended the move following reports of serious blood clotting events in adults in Norway.
READ MORE

12th March 2021

The UK's Defence Secretary approved the deployment of 100 defence medics for vaccination support.
READ MORE:

17th February 2021

A major extension of Northern Ireland's Covid-19 vaccination programme was announced, with responsibilities divided between GP practices and the seven regional vaccination centres run by health trusts.

26th January 2021

The Department of Health revealed plans to scale up the Covid vaccination programme - everyone aged over 65 would be offered a jab within five weeks.

4th January 2021

The roll-out of a second covid-19 vaccination programme (Oxford/AstraZeneca) began across Northern Ireland.
READ MORE

8th December 2020

Belfast nurse Joanna Sloan became the first person in Northern Ireland, and indeed on the island of Ireland, to be vaccinated.

2nd December 2020

The UK became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Read more:

What restrictions are expected to relax from May 24th across Northern Ireland?

NI marks one million first vaccine doses

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