Now is the time to get your COVID vaccine, it has never been easier

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone over the age of 18 who has not yet had their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to do so now, as it’s never been easier.

Vaccine uptake is an important means of securing protection against COVID-19 infection. Currently over  two million doses have been administered in Northern Ireland since the Department of Health launched the vaccination campaign at the end of 2020, helping to save lives and protect a great many others from serious illness.

Maurice Meehan, Head of Health Improvement (Northern area) at the PHA, said: “Getting the vaccine has never been easier. The Department of Health, supported by the PHA and working closely with Health and Social Care Trusts and Community Pharmacists, has made the vaccine accessible to everyone.  Through a range of vaccine clinics everyone over the age of 18 who is eligible will have the opportunity to select a location and time to suit their needs.”

To help make getting the vaccine as accessible as possible, Trusts are also deploying a number of mobile clinics to town centres, shopping centres, sporting events and arts facilities to encourage people over the age of 18 to take up the vaccine without having to pre-book an appointment.The mobile clinics will be offering either first-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. To find out where the clinics are taking place visit www.pha.site/mobilevaccine.

In addition to the mobile walk-in clinics, from today all Northern Ireland’s regional vaccination centres are providing walk-in jabs without any need to book an appointment. This applies to second doses as well as first doses – providing the required interval has passed since your first dose. The required interval between first and second doses is six weeks for Pfizer and eight weeks for Astra Zeneca.

Alternatively if you are over 40, you can also book to receive the AstraZeneca vaccination at your local pharmacy through the vaccine booking website.

Maurice continued: “The time to get your jab is now. For those who have not yet taken up the offer of the vaccine, there are still a number of opportunities to do so – please make arrangements to get a first dose without delay, and return for your second dose when scheduled, as this is the best way to help protect you, your family and your community. It will also help us all get back to normality – mixing with friends, nights out, holidays and all the other things we often took for granted before the pandemic struck.”

All regional vaccination centres continue to offer vaccination appointment bookings for first doses. To book online go to covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated. Appointments can also be made using the telephone service 0300 200 7813.

To find out more about the vaccine programme and the clinics available

see www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/get-covid-19-vaccination-northern-ireland