Northern Ireland Begins Vaccinating Healthy 16 and 17 Year-Olds Against Covid

Just two days after England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer said all 16 and 17 year-olds will start being invited to get vaccinated against Covid “in a very short number of weeks”, Northern Ireland has become the first U.K. nation to extend its vaccine roll-out to healthy children. BBC News has the story.

The move follows a recommendation by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
More than 180 vaccinations were administered to 16 and 17 year-olds at the SSE arena in Belfast on Friday morning.
Confirming the number, Lead Nurse at the regional vaccination centre Pauline Wilson said there was a sense of excitement among young people in line for their jab.
“The general feedback is that they’re pleased to be here and they’re looking forward to things opening up again,” she said.
“It’s their turn and they are keen to get their vaccinations.” …
Regional vaccination centres in Northern Ireland are providing a walk-in service for first doses of Pfizer vaccines for those aged 16 and 17.
For those who prefer to book, an online booking platform will be available in the coming days.
The first vaccination will also be available at pop-up walk-in clinics across Northern Ireland.

Worth reading in full.

Stop Press: Young people are “excited” to get ‘jabbed’, according to the Evening Standard.

Elliot Aston, from Newtownards, Co Down, said he was “quite excited” to have received his first jab.
“It’s good that they’re finally offering it to us because we are probably the ones that are out and about the most so I think it’s about time,” he said.
“I have an introduction day back to school coming up so I’ll definitely feel safer now around my friends.
“Some of my friends were here today getting it too.” …
Georgia Johnston, from Carrickfergus, admitted she had worries about getting the vaccine, but after some thought decided she would.
“I was completely against it but decided I have to get it so I came up and got it,” she said.
“My mum persuaded me, she got her vaccine.”

Also worth reading in full.