It’s the turn of teenagers as Covid-19 vaccines are to be made available to 16 and 17-year-olds.
And the regional centres – including the South Lake Leisure Centre in Craigavon – will be the dedicated locations to administer first doses to the young people, along with the various pop-up clinics.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended the move and it will now be implemented in Northern Ireland.
From this Friday, NI’s regional vaccination centres will be providing walk-in Pfizer first jabs for 16 and 17-year-olds.
For those in this age group who prefer to book, an online booking platform will be available in the coming days.
The pop-up walk-in vaccination clinics being held across NI will also provide Pfizer first doses to 16 and 17-year-olds from Friday.
ID and proof of date of birth will be required when attending a regional vaccination centre or walk-in vaccination clinic for the jabs.
Health Minister Robin Swann stated: “I welcome the latest advice from JCVI and have asked my officials to ensure it is fully implemented in Northern Ireland as quickly as possible.
“When formulating advice in relation to childhood immunisations, JCVI has consistently held that the main focus of its decision should be the benefit to children and young people themselves, weighed against any potential harms from vaccination to children and young people.
“JCVI are an independent, expert Committee who have thoroughly assessed a wide range of evidence. It is important that we continue to follow their advice.”
The regional vaccination centres are:
SSE Arena, 2 Queens Quay, Belfast BT3 9QQ
Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast BT12 6BA
Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Trostan Avenue, Ballymena BT43 7BL
South Lake Leisure Centre, 1 Lake Road, Craigavon BT64 1AS
The Foyle Arena, 2 Limavady Road, Londonderry BT47 6JY
Omagh Leisure Centre, Old Mountfield Road, Omagh BT79 7EG
Lakeland Forum, Broadmeadow, Enniskillen BT74 7EF
Details of the latest walk-in clinics are listed here: www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/how-get-your-jab-3
