SSE mass vaccination site to deliver 200,000th jab today

The Vaccination Team at the SSE Arena Belfast is celebrating another landmark day as the 200,000th vaccine will be administered there on Friday.

It opened on March, 29 as Northern Ireland's mass vaccination site and delivers almost as many vaccines as all of the other vaccination sites together.

Tanya Daly, Clinical Lead in the South Eastern Trust and at the SSE Arena Belfast praised the work of all the staff there:

"We are delighted at the success of the COVID-19 vaccination programme at the SSE Arena Belfast delivering the 200,000th vaccine, 80% of which are first doses.

"We would like to thank the public for coming forward and supporting the programme and we would encourage those who have not yet booked their vaccine to do so as soon as possible."

"It’s important to remember that once you have had two doses you are over 90% protected. The vaccine not only protects yourself but your loved ones too and is helping Northern Ireland on the road to recovery.

"We would also like to remind the public that vaccine appointments should only be changed if you are travelling or if you are unwell.

"You must provide full details as well as the reason for your amendment and include all supporting evidence or travel confirmation documents.

"Staff are currently receiving thousands of emails to change appointments and are finding it very difficult to cope with the volume of requests.

"Please bear with us and we will respond to requests as soon as we can. We would like to thank everyone for their continued patience."