Antrim and Newtownabbey’s ‘large-scale’ centres to facilitate Covid vaccine roll out

Antrim Forum is to be made available following a request by a group of five GP practices based in Antrim.

A spokesperson for Antrim and Newtownabbey said: “The council has been engaging with a group of Antrim GPs about providing large-scale facilities to assist in rolling out the next phase of vaccinations.

“We are proud to support their efforts, and have prepared the Antrim Forum to facilitate this. As yet, no specific date has been requested, but the council encourages everyone to take up the opportunity to receive the vaccine when called to do so.”

Meanwhile, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has expressed support for the possibility of 24-hour vaccination.

A motion proposed by Glengormley DUP Alderman Phillip Brett said: “This council commends the Northern Ireland Covid-19 vaccination team, recognises that per head of population Northern Ireland is leading the world in rolling out the vaccine, appreciates that Her Majesty’s Government has ensured Northern Ireland’s access to the vaccine, urges the Government to make the vaccine available to as many as possible, supports 24/7 vaccination, encourages our residents to receive the vaccination and will make our facilities available for mass vaccination.”

The Department of Health has published a detailed update on Northern Ireland’s Covid-19 vaccination programme. Plans include offering everyone over the age of 65 a vaccine by the end of next month – within the next five weeks.

The Department says that this expansion of the programme will cover everyone aged 65 and over and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable to Covid-19.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

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