Covid-19 booster clinics open across Northern Ireland

By Q Radio News

Covid-19 vaccination booster centres have opened across Northern Ireland with the over 50s called forward first.

Anyone over 40 who received their second dose more than six months ago is also eligible.

The expansion of the booster scheme comes after a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that everyone aged 18 and over should receive the booster vaccination to help in the fight against the global pandemic.

Boosters can now be given from three months after original vaccination and, as with the initial vaccination scheme,  the booster programme is being rolled out in order of descending age groups plus those classed as medically at-risk.

Yesterday the health ministers in Northern Ireland and the Republic said they expected the Omicron variant to already be present on the island of Ireland.

Addressing public concern over the Omicron variant, Health Minister Robin Swann today urged people to get their first, second and booster vaccines.

“It remains very likely that vaccination will continue to protect against severe illness from Omicron as it does against other variants of SARS-CoV-2.

“In addition, our vaccines provide very good protection against the Delta variant, which remains the predominant strain in Northern Ireland at this point.”

The Department of Health said pharmacies will hold walk-in booster vaccination clinics this weekend, December 4 and 5, and more information will be provided in coming days.

Most health trust vaccination hubs and clinics being announced today will principally focus on boosters for the over 50s, the department added.

"Anyone in this category should be called by their GP but can also attend community pharmacy or trust centres if they have not yet received their booster.

"Trust centres are also providing ongoing first and second doses for all eligible age groups and will open soon to the 40-49 year olds for their booster doses."

Those aged 18 to 39 must wait to be called forward by the NHS, the department added.

The booster programme involves the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines.

A booster dose does not have to be same vaccine as the first and second doses received.

Patricia Donnelly, head of the vaccination programme, asked those who had come forward to be vaccinators earlier this year to offer their services again.

Most trust vaccination hubs are offering both walk-in and booked appointments.

Bookings can be made online at https://covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated/

A list of pharmacies offering the booster jab is available on the Health and Social Care Board website www.hscboard.hscni.net/booster-covid19-vaccination/

The Trust vaccination clinics:

South Eastern Trust

Ulster Hospital and Lagan Valley Hospital vaccination centres are open for walk-ins and booking appointments for boosters and first and second doses of Pfizer for all eligible age groups. Clinics will also be held this weekend in Downshire Hospital, Downpatrick 

Ulster Hospital -  9am - 7.30pm Mon-Thurs; Friday-Sunday 9am - 4pm

Lagan Valley Hospital, Primary & Community Care Centre -  9.30am - 7pm Monday and Wednesday, and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30am - 4pm.

Great Hall, Downshire Hospital, Downpatrick -  9.30am - 3.30pm, Saturday and Sunday only

Belfast Trust

Royal Victoria Hospital vaccination centre is open for walk-in vaccinations and bookings between 8.30am and 6pm every day.

Belfast Central Fire Station, Ormeau Avenue, facing the Gasworks - Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 December: 10am - 6pm

Walk-in vaccinations available for:

First dose Pfizer: age 12 +

First & Second dose Pfizer: age 16 +

Boosters: age 40 +

Southern Trust

Rushmere Shopping Centre, Craigavon -  Tuesday 30 November, 12pm - 8pm; Thursday 2 December, 2pm - 8.30pm; Friday 3 December, 2pm-8.30pm

Staff Vaccination Clinic, St Luke’s Hospital, Armagh - Wednesday 1 December, 9.30am - 5.30pm; Saturday 4 December,  10am - 5pm

Newry Leisure Centre - Thursday 2 December, 12pm - 8pm

Seagoe Parish Centre, Portadown - Friday 3 December, 8.30am - 5pm

The Junction, Dungannon - Sunday 5 December, 9.30am - 5.30pm

Western Trust

Templemore Sports Complex, Derry/Londonderry and Lakeland Forum, Enniskillen - 1 December to 14 December

An Chroi Community Centre, Hillcrest Road, Waterside, Derry/Londonderry and Omagh Leisure Centre, Omagh - 15 December to 21 December

Centres will be open seven days a week, 9am to 4.30pm each day except for Mondays and Thursdays when they will instead open 12 to 8pm to facilitate evening appointments.

Bookings are now live for all centres. Walk-ins will also be facilitated at each site.

Northern Trust

The Northern Trust vaccination centre at Seven Towers Leisure Centre is open this week for bookings only, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Sunday (closed 12.30 to 1pm)

Next week they are changing hours to offer evening clinics, so it will be 12 to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday.

We now have evening and weekend slots available for our Winter Walk-Ins across our three vaccination centres 💉 📆

1st Dose PFIZER ➡️ Aged 12-17 (if tested positive for COVID-19, must wait 12 weeks before vaccination) and 18+. pic.twitter.com/9fBQY34M2D

— South Eastern Trust (@setrust) November 29, 2021