NI vaccination programme ‘re-energised’ by Big Jab Weekend

Q Radio News/PA

Health Minister Robin Swann said that Northern Ireland’s vaccination programme had been “re-energised” following a major push to encourage more people to get protected against Covid-19.

The minister was speaking at the SSE Arena in Belfast as the final vaccinations were delivered before it closes as a mass vaccination centre.

Health officials believe at least 8,000 vaccinations were delivered over the Big Jab Weekend, an initiative in which adults were encouraged to come to mass centres to receive their first dose.

Early estimates suggest 8,000-10,000 Covid-19 vaccines were administered in NI over the past two days in the Big Jab Weekend.

The SSE Arena vaccination centre closed its doors with the last vaccine for Danielle McElroy from Bangor, as a piper played staff out.

Pics: Alan Lewis pic.twitter.com/U1MYbEAJdl

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) August 22, 2021

Northern Ireland currently has the lowest vaccination rates in the UK, but long queues were reported outside clinics on both Saturday and Sunday.

It comes as 11 further deaths of patients who tested positive for Covid-19 were reported in Northern Ireland.

Health minister Robin Swann and CMO Sir Michael McBride meet vaccination staff at the SSE Arena 

The Department of Health said on Sunday there has also been 1,485 new confirmed cases of the virus in the last 24-hour reporting period.

Mr Swann said: “Our big Jab Weekend has made a real difference because it has got people talking about vaccines, it has got people coming out and getting their first dose vaccines.

“Here alone in the SSE we reckon about 6,000 have come out, that is both first and second jabs this weekend. So it has made a big difference.

“But one of the things we need to be clear about, although the SSE Arena is closing as a facility, our vaccine programme still rolls on with the pop up clinics and community pharmacies.

“So those people who still want to come forward and get their first doses will still have the opportunity to do that and I would still encourage them to do so.”

He added: “This weekend has re-energised our vaccine programme, people are talking about it, they are now seeing the benefits.

“And we have also used this weekend to dispel some of the myths out there that people have been peddling on social media to try and detract or dissuade people from coming forward.

“What we have seen are those people who need that little extra bit of encouragement have been coming forward in big numbers.

“Our mass vaccination clinics have made a big difference to our vaccine programmes here in Northern Ireland and have been a real benefit to us.”

🎥 17-year-old Danielle McElroy from Bangor was given the last Covid-19 jab at Belfast's largest vaccination centre in the SSE Arena.

She said: "I just want to get back to normality and I think this is a great step to do that, and it keeps everybody safe as well."👇 pic.twitter.com/jomststnxX

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) August 22, 2021

Bangor teenager Danielle McElroy, 17, was given the last jab at the SSE Arena.

She said: “I just wanted to do my part in helping everyone get through this. It has really affected school and everyone’s lifestyle.

“I just want to get back to normality and I think this is the step to do that and it keeps everybody safe as well. I’m excited and happy I’ve got it.”

Chief medical officer Sir Michael McBride said he believed at least 8,000 had been vaccinated over the weekend.

He said: “I suspect it’s somewhere in the region of between eight and 10,000 people. It’s a huge achievement and I want to thank every single person.”

As the SSE Arena closed for the last time as a vaccination centre, a piper led a procession of medical staff out of the main hall.

🎥 Scenes as the SSE Arena Covid-19 vaccination centre in Belfast closed its doors with a piper playing staff out of the building in tribute to their heroic efforts in the battle against coronavirus: pic.twitter.com/LTD7IBHqLe

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) August 22, 2021