Vaccine roll-out extended to 40-44 year olds
Last updated 8th Apr 2021
40-44 year olds can now book their Covid-19 vaccine, according to the Department of Health.
From 12 noon on Thursday, people aged 40-44 will be able to book their vaccination appointments.
Appointments will be available to book online at the Health and Social Care booking website and by telephone on 0300 200 7813.
Health Minister Robin Swann stated: “Today’s extension of the vaccination programme will be very welcome news to people in this age group.
“Vaccination is by far our best defence against COVID-19 and is essential to our goal of getting Northern Ireland out of lockdown on a sustainable basis.”
People making bookings are asked to be patient, as demand for appointments will be strong.
The ongoing roll-out of the vaccination programme will continue to be dependent on the availability of vaccine supplies.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) yesterday stated that the benefits of vaccination with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine far outweigh any potential risks for people aged 30 and over and for those who have underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease, irrespective of age.
In line with JCVI advice, people in Northern Ireland aged 18-29 who do not have an underlying medical condition will be offered an alternative vaccine, when this is available.
Important dates in Northern Ireland's vaccination rollout:
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.
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