LISTEN: “Intensive” preparation underway for COVID-19 vaccination programme - Swann

By Q Radio News and PA Reporters

The Health Minister Robin Swann has said that “intensive” preparation was under way for the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

Mr Swann predicted it would be a massive logistical operation spanning several months.

A total of 600 people including retired doctors have come forward to be vaccinators. Another 880 have been found within health trusts.

Robin Swann speaking at the Coronavirus press conference at Stormont

Mr Swann has urged people to limit their mixing with others.

He said: “This is a time to unite to get the best outcome from these next two weeks.

“Our actions now will have a huge bearing on the kind of Christmas that we all can have.”

He added: “A festive free-for-all would mean a New Year crisis.”

Stormont’s chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride said the number of cases had seen a gradual downward trend.

The number of Covid admissions to hospital was also declining but hospitals were still under “extreme” pressure.

He said: “The next two weeks provide an important opportunity to really get on top of this virus, starting from a low baseline.”

He added: “We really need to make this work, it won’t be easy, it will be a challenge, but we are used to those challenges by now.”

He said Christmas get-togethers would have an effect on transmission.

“I have no doubt that we will see increased cases as a consequence but let us work together to keep those numbers as low as possible.”