HOMESLESS people in Northern Ireland are to be offered the coronavirus vaccine, the Public Health Agency has confirmed.
Almost 1,200 people affected by homelessness will receive the jab in coming weeks with doses administered in mobile clinics and mass vaccination centres.
The programme is already underway in the Belfast Trust.
Almost 300 people in the Western Trust are also expected to have received their first doses by early April.
Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, SDLP councillor Paul McCusker, said vaccination teams visited hostels in the city last Friday, with almost 700 people eligible for the jab.
Mr McCusker has worked with the homeless for more than 10 years and described the development as "fantastic news".
"Belfast Trust's Homeless Health Hub is doing excellent work breaking down health inequalities for homeless people," he told the BBC.
Western health trust officials said it was important this group were protected as many suffer from "multiple health issues" and could therefore be classed as "clinically vulnerable".
"For people who cross over trust boundaries or move around, we will make sure we work together to make sure everything is done and closed off safely," the trust's Paula Devine said.
The Public Health Agency said that vaccines for those who are homeless will also be provided using a "door step" delivery approach.
Vaccination teams will deliver to facilities such as hostels, day shelter facilities, crash facilities, non-standard accommodation facilities, and to those sleeping rough.
Anyone who is not living in fixed accommodation will be eligible to receive the vaccine.
Last week health minister Robin Swann pledged every adult in Northern Ireland will still get their first jab by the end of July following concerns about supply of AstraZeneca doses.
