NI booster programme opens to over 30s

Vaccine rollout is being stepped up to get more people their third dose of a covid vaccine, amid omicron fears.

Booster shots are third doses of a covid vaccine.
Author: Sarah MckinleyPublished 13th Dec 2021

The COVID-19 vaccine booster programme is being accelerated in Northern Ireland amid fears over a new variant.

The Health Minister's decision comes after the Prime Minster warned of a "tidal wave of Omicron" that could cause "very many deaths".

The new initiatives in NI have been taken in light of the expected surge of Omicron variant cases in Northern Ireland in January.

The number of confirmed Omicron variant cases in NI has now increased to 10.

Health Trust vaccination hubs are open today for walk-in boosters for anyone aged 30 and over who is at least three months from their second vaccine dose.

Options to further reduce the age range are under active consideration.

Trust hubs are extending their opening hours and days of operation with immediate effect and hundreds of additional vaccinators are in the process of being recruited.

The deferral of some planned routine health service activity is also under consideration.

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.
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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.
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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.
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12th March 2021

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