COVID-19 vaccine authorised - roll out expected to start in NI by mid-December after huge milestone

The Public Health Agency it is understood has plans in place to begin vaccinating health sand social care staff and care home residents from as early as mid-December.

It could be the summer 2021 however before everyone has had the opportunity to get the vaccine so people are being urged to remain cautious.

NI Health Minister Robin Swann Tweeted this morning: “This is a hugely significantly day. My Department has the plans and preparations in place.

“There will still be difficult days ahead, and people must not let their guard down, but there are brighter days ahead.”

In a statement issued today, the UK government confirmed that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been given the green light on the independent advice of medicines regulator.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “The Government has today accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for use. This follows months of rigorous clinical trials and a thorough analysis of the data by experts at the MHRA who have concluded that the vaccine has met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

“The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) will shortly publish its final advice for the priority groups to receive the vaccine, including care home residents, health and care staff, the elderly and the clinically extremely vulnerable.

“The vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week. The NHS has decades of experience in delivering large scale vaccination programmes and will begin putting their extensive preparations into action to provide care and support to all those eligible for vaccination.

“To aid the success of the vaccination programme it is vital everyone continues to play their part and abide by the necessary restrictions in their area so we can further suppress the virus and allow the NHS to do its work without being overwhelmed.

“Further details will be set out shortly.”