BREAKING: Second vaccine approved as almost 5,000 receive first dose in Derry & Western area

Number 10 Downing Street today confirmed the recommendation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to authorise Oxford University/AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine for use.

They said that this follows rigorous clinical trials and a thorough analysis of the data by experts at the MHRA, which has concluded that the vaccine has met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will also publish its latest advice for the priority groups to receive this vaccine.

To date across Britain and the north, hundreds of thousands of patients have received their first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and its roll out will continue. Now the NHS will begin putting their extensive preparations into action to roll out the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine.

Meanwhile NI Health Minister Robin Swann has confirmed thousands of care home residents, staff and health workers have been vaccinated so far in the Western Trust area.

In the Western Trust 1,287 care residents have been vaccinated, along with 1,300 care home staff in 57 care homes. A further 2,231 Health and Social Care staff have also received the vaccine.

Commending the COVID-19 vaccination teams, Mr Swann said vaccinations have now been carried out in 80% of all care homes in the north.

The Minister said: “33,683 vaccinations in a short space of time is a significant achievement for Northern Ireland. We are continuing to lead the way in delivering vaccine to our most vulnerable and our frontline workers and I sincerely thank all those involved in making this possible, from the frontline vaccinators to the backroom pharmacy teams and those involved in storage and distribution who have worked incredibly hard to make sure the vaccine can be delivered to those who need it the most.”

Mr Swann said the roll out of vaccines “will increase rapidly” now that the Astra Zeneca vaccine has been approved.

“This will help the programme to roll out at a quicker pace to more people as recommended by JCVI,” he said, adding:

“The vaccine has brought a renewed hope as 2020 draws to a close and we move into a new year. I want people to be hopeful. I want people to look forward to 2021. But I also want people to remain cautious. It will take time before we see the true benefits of vaccination. So for now keep doing what you are doing. Keep any New Year celebrations within your existing household. Do the right thing and stick to the regulations to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and protect our health service.”