Key points on the expanded booster programme for Northern Ireland

The Department of Health has issued further clarification on the newly announced vaccination booster programme in Northern Ireland.

* Newly opened Health Trust vaccination clinics across NI are offering boosters to the 50 plus age group. They will also provide first and second doses to anyone eligible of any age.

If you are 50 or over and it’s been at least three months since your second dose, you can now get your booster. You can get it at a Trust clinic, a participating pharmacy – or wait for your GP to invite you in.

* If you are aged 40-49, you are next on the age priority list for boosters. Eligibility will be extended to you on a phased basis, as quickly as possible. Right now, people in their 40’s who had their second dose six months ago or more can also get their booster at a Health Trust vaccination clinic.

Eligibility for this age group will be gradually widened in the coming weeks reducing to the recommended three month interval.

* Vaccinators will work through all adult age groups in a phased way, just as they did in the original vaccination programme earlier this year. The updated Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice makes clear that boosters “will be offered in order of descending age groups, with priority given to the vaccination of older adults and those in a COVID-19 at-risk group”. People under 40 who are more vulnerable to COVID are already being prioritised, alongside older age groups.

* The JCVI’s announcement also says that those aged 18 to 39 will be eligible for a booster when the NHS calls them forward. We will call them forward on phased basis in order of descending age groups, as the JCVI has advised. We ask that people wait until their age group is called forward.

* The booster programme involves the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines. Your booster dose does not have to be same vaccine as your first and second doses.

* Most Trust vaccination hubs are offering both walk-in and booked appointments – eligibility will change from week to week. Bookings can be made here:

https://covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated/

* Full text of JCVI statement on expanded booster programme.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jcvi-advice-on-covid-19-booster-vaccines-for-those-aged-18-to-39-and-a-second-dose-for-ages-12-to-15

The full list of Health Trust vaccination clinics is below:

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 - 9.00am-7.30pm Mon-Thurs; Friday-Sunday 9.00am-4.00pm

Lagan Valley Hospital, Primary & Community Care Centre - 9.30am-7.00pm Monday and Wednesday, and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30am-4.00pm.

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 6.00pm every day.

Belfast Central Fire Station, Ormeau Avenue, facing the Gasworks:

Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 December: 10.00am-6.00pm

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, 12.00pm-8.00pm; Thursday 2 December, 2.00pm - 8.30pm; Friday 3 December, 2.00pm-8.30pm

Staff Vaccination Clinic, St Luke’s Hospital, Armagh - Wednesday 1 December, 9.30am- 5.30pm; Saturday 4 December, 10.00am-5.00pm

Newry Leisure Centre - Thursday 2 December, 12.00pm - 8.00pm

Seagoe Parish Centre, Portadown - Friday 3 December, 8.30am-5.00pm

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

Western Trust

Templemore Sports Complex, Derry/Londonderry

Lakeland Forum, Enniskillen

1 December to 14 December

An Chroi Community Centre, Hillcrest Road, Waterside, Derry/Londonderry

Omagh Leisure Centre, Omagh

15th December to 21 December

Centres will be open seven days a week, 9.00am-4.30pm each day except for Mondays and Thursdays when they will instead open 12.00pm-8.00pm 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, 9.00am-5.00pm, Monday to Sunday (closed 12.30-1.00pm)

Next week they are changing hours to offer evening clinics, so it will be 12.00pm-8.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am-5.00pm Saturday and Sunday.