Northern Ireland has become the first part of the U.K. to offer appointments for Covid vaccines to its entire adult population. People aged 18-39 will have the option to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, despite its potential links to blood clotting (particularly in younger people) and, now, strokes. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said earlier this month that Brits below the age of 40 should only be offered alternatives to this vaccine “where possible“. BBC News has more.
More than one million people in Northern Ireland have received a first dose of a Covid vaccine.
The Department of Health said vaccine supplies had become limited and 20,000 slots would be available each week.
The limit is to help manage the availability of the Pfizer vaccine after regulators said under 40s should be given an alternative to the AstraZeneca vaccine, the department said.
However, it said anyone aged between 18 and 39 years old could still choose to have AstraZeneca jab…
Walk-in vaccination centres are open to over-18s in some parts of Wales, while in Scotland 18-to-29 year-olds can register for a text or email when they become eligible for an appointment.
A total of 1,6460,981 vaccines have been given so far in Northern Ireland…
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said Northern Ireland was “dealing with the emergence of new variants” and that everyone had “a part to play in keeping each other safe”.
He said: “I know that many young people will be very keen to book their jab now that they’re eligible for vaccination.
“It’s important to understand that while the risk of severe disease is lower in young people, some may become very ill and, of course, they can pass on the virus to others who may be more vulnerable.”
He urged everyone aged 18 and over to book a slot for vaccination, including those in older age-groups who have yet had a jab.
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