Northern Ireland

Pop-up vaccination clinics to be rolled out across high risk areas in Northern Ireland over summer to tackle Delta variant

Pop-up vaccination clinics are to be rolled out in 'targeted' areas of Northern Ireland in coming weeks and months
Pop-up vaccination clinics are to be rolled out in 'targeted' areas of Northern Ireland in coming weeks and months Pop-up vaccination clinics are to be rolled out in 'targeted' areas of Northern Ireland in coming weeks and months

POP-UP vaccination clinics are to be rolled out across 'high risk' areas in Northern Ireland in coming weeks as concerns grow about the more contagious Delta variant.

In what has been dubbed an "integral" part of the vaccine programme rollout this summer, mobile teams will target Covid hotspots with higher infection rates.

Areas where vaccine uptake is low or where communities have difficulty in accessing jabs will also be visited by teams from the Public Health Agency (PHA).

With the Delta variant now the most dominant coronavirus strain in England - accounting for more than 90 per cent of cases - the north's Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said it is "inevitable" it will also become dominant in Northern Ireland where it is currently linked to almost a quarter of positive infections.

Latest research shows two vaccine doses offer much greater protection against serious illness and hospitalisation from the latest strain, which was first detected in India.

Health minister Robin Swann said he hoped the pop-up clinics will tackle barriers such as vaccine hesitancy, mobility and language problems.

Migrant fishermen living on the Co Down coast, asylum seekers and homeless people are among those who have been immunised through the 'targeted' outreach programme.

Mr Swann said: "The take-up of the Covid-19 vaccines in Northern Ireland remains very strong. Demand continues to outpace supply and I would again appeal to people seeking to book their jabs to be patient. We will get to you as soon as supplies allow," he said.

"Alongside the general vaccination programme, targeted work is ongoing to address any potential issues of vaccine accessibility or hesitancy. The pop-up clinics being delivered by the PHA are making a vital contribution.

"Vaccination is, of course, voluntary. It is important that people make informed choices and that any concerns they may have are sensitively addressed.

"Vaccination provides vital protection to individuals, families, communities and wider society. It is essential that people get fully vaccinated through both doses - particularly in light of the emergence of the Delta variant."

The Department of Health said that GP practices will now be getting in touch with patients aged 50 and over who have not come forward for their jabs.

They will also contact still unvaccinated patients who were prioritised because of clinical risk factors.

Patients aged 40-49 who have not taken up the offer of a jab will be contacted by telephone, text or letter by GP practices and also encouraged to consider vaccination.

More than 76 per cent of the north's adult population has now received their first dose.

A total of 753,008 people have received both jabs and are fully protected.