Northern Ireland

Mass vaccination centre hailed as 'significant milestone' as jab set to be extended to over-40s within days

The SSE Arena in Belfast has opened as a mass vaccination centre for Northern Ireland. It will operate from 8am to 8pm seven days a week initially and may be extended until 10pm. Picture by Hugh Russell
The SSE Arena in Belfast has opened as a mass vaccination centre for Northern Ireland. It will operate from 8am to 8pm seven days a week initially and may be extended until 10pm. Picture by Hugh Russell The SSE Arena in Belfast has opened as a mass vaccination centre for Northern Ireland. It will operate from 8am to 8pm seven days a week initially and may be extended until 10pm. Picture by Hugh Russell

NORTHERN Ireland's new mass vaccination centre has been hailed as a "significant milestone" in the fight against coronavirus.

The SSE Arena in Belfast opened its doors yesterday, as health minister Robin Swann indicated that jabs could be extended to the over-40s within days.

He said he hopes the programme will move to the next age cohort this week, dependent on supplies.

Currently all those aged 50 and over, as well as some groups with health conditions, are among those who can book a vaccination.

The SSE centre will operate as a mass vaccination site for the whole of Northern Ireland and has the capacity to deliver doses to more than 40,000 people a week.

A slowdown in the UK's vaccine supply lines will see the centre processing around 11,000 people a week initially, with the numbers ramping up as more AstraZeneca jabs become available.

The vaccine roll-out was also extended to community pharmacies yesterday.

Visiting the arena floor, First Minister Arlene Foster said its opening is a "significant milestone" in the roll-out of the vaccination programme.

More than half of adults in the north have now received their first dose.

"Our vaccination centres are ramping up. I am delighted to be here to see the professionalism of our staff yet again," the DUP leader said.

Executive ministers are set to meet again on Thursday to discuss coronavirus restrictions.

Mrs Foster said numbers are "going in the right direction", with the infection rate down to "around 53 in 100,000".

She said young people have been prioritised in the move out of lockdown, with all pupils to be back in school by April 12.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said it was a day for hope and optimism.

"To walk through the SSE Arena would lift everybody's heart," she said.

Ahead of Thursday's meeting, Ms O'Neill said: "We think April 15 gives us the next opportunity to be able to announce some more easements.

"It needs to be steady and it needs to be slow and gradual in order to allow us to move forwards and not backwards."

Mr Swann described the vaccination centre as "an amazing sight".

"This is a great day for Northern Ireland when we're seeing this level of vaccination," he said.

As of Monday, 855,488 vaccines had been administered in Northern Ireland, with 730,471 first doses and 125,017 second doses.

The region is on course to offer first jabs to the entire adult population - 1.4 million people - by July.

Gary Davidson, from Lisbane in Co Down, was the first to get a vaccine in the SSE Arena yesterday.

The 55-year-old was last at the venue with his sons to watch a motocross event.

"I feel very proud to see what's going on in the SSE in Belfast," he said.

"I feel as if I am protected and hopefully won't be able to pass it on to relatives."

Meanwhile, Belfast City Airport has announced plans for a Covid testing centre.

The airport, in partnership with diagnostics firm Randox, is working on the facility ahead of the expected return of international flights later this year.

It will offer both PCR tests and rapid lateral flow tests to give passengers access to quick testing.

Belfast International Airport opened a testing facility for passengers in January.