Menu
10/11/2020
Health Minister Welcomes News Of Potential Coronavirus Vaccine
News of a potential new coronavirus vaccine announced by Pfizer and BioNTech has been welcomed by Health Minister Robin Swann.
Mr Swann welcomed the positive news while also cautioning the public not to "let down their guard" despite progress towards mass vaccination in 2021.
The Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine is one of a number of Covid vaccines under development and undergoing testing.
Mr Swann said: "We have been waiting a long time for positive news. While there are very important regulatory and safety assurance hurdles to still be cleared, today represents a step forward.
"While there are no guarantees, there is a possibility that vaccination of at risk sections of our community could begin by the end of this year.
"However, I would appeal to everyone not to let down their guard just because there is some light at the end of this very long tunnel. It will likely be well into 2021 before a vaccine is generally available to the population – not least because mass global vaccination is a huge logistical challenge.
"As I have said before, we are in for a hard slog this winter – in terms of intense pressures on our health service and unavoidable restrictions on our daily lives.
"We all have to redouble our efforts – continue limiting our contacts and keeping our distance from each other; wear face coverings when required; and keep washing our hands.
"But let's be positive about the future. The incredible progress to date on developing a vaccine - together with planned mass testing and improved treatments - means we can look towards next Spring with some hope. Pessimists keep telling us we will be locked into endless stop-start cycles of restrictions. I have faith that they will be proved wrong."
The UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), an independent expert advisory group, will advise Government on which COVID-19 vaccine(s) should be used, and on the priority groups to receive the vaccine based on the best available clinical, modelling and epidemiological data.
Mr Swann welcomed the positive news while also cautioning the public not to "let down their guard" despite progress towards mass vaccination in 2021.
The Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine is one of a number of Covid vaccines under development and undergoing testing.
Mr Swann said: "We have been waiting a long time for positive news. While there are very important regulatory and safety assurance hurdles to still be cleared, today represents a step forward.
"While there are no guarantees, there is a possibility that vaccination of at risk sections of our community could begin by the end of this year.
"However, I would appeal to everyone not to let down their guard just because there is some light at the end of this very long tunnel. It will likely be well into 2021 before a vaccine is generally available to the population – not least because mass global vaccination is a huge logistical challenge.
"As I have said before, we are in for a hard slog this winter – in terms of intense pressures on our health service and unavoidable restrictions on our daily lives.
"We all have to redouble our efforts – continue limiting our contacts and keeping our distance from each other; wear face coverings when required; and keep washing our hands.
"But let's be positive about the future. The incredible progress to date on developing a vaccine - together with planned mass testing and improved treatments - means we can look towards next Spring with some hope. Pessimists keep telling us we will be locked into endless stop-start cycles of restrictions. I have faith that they will be proved wrong."
The UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), an independent expert advisory group, will advise Government on which COVID-19 vaccine(s) should be used, and on the priority groups to receive the vaccine based on the best available clinical, modelling and epidemiological data.
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 November 2021
Ministers Discussing Introduction Of Mandatory Vaccine Passports
The Executive has met today to discuss the proposed introduction of mandatory vaccine passports. However, according to reports, Ministers have received a 'modelling paper' ahead of the meeting highlighting that more "tougher" restrictions may need to be introduced to avoid overwhelming hospitals.
Ministers Discussing Introduction Of Mandatory Vaccine Passports
The Executive has met today to discuss the proposed introduction of mandatory vaccine passports. However, according to reports, Ministers have received a 'modelling paper' ahead of the meeting highlighting that more "tougher" restrictions may need to be introduced to avoid overwhelming hospitals.
12 October 2021
Dept Of Health Details Winter Vaccination Programme
Northern Ireland's winter vaccination programme has been detailed by the Department of Health. The Covid vaccination programme is continuing, alongside the new booster programme, and this year's flu vaccination drive has now gotten underway.
Dept Of Health Details Winter Vaccination Programme
Northern Ireland's winter vaccination programme has been detailed by the Department of Health. The Covid vaccination programme is continuing, alongside the new booster programme, and this year's flu vaccination drive has now gotten underway.
19 July 2021
Interim Vaccine Certificate Now Available Online
The Interim Vaccine Certificate is now available to be downloaded at home, the Department for Health has announced. The current process is transitioning to the planned CCS (COVID Certification Service) and the first phase will commence this weekend for all new COVID Certificate requests.
Interim Vaccine Certificate Now Available Online
The Interim Vaccine Certificate is now available to be downloaded at home, the Department for Health has announced. The current process is transitioning to the planned CCS (COVID Certification Service) and the first phase will commence this weekend for all new COVID Certificate requests.
18 August 2016
Call For Students To Get Meningitis Vaccine
Students are being urged to get the meningitis vaccine by the Public Health Agency. Everyone born between 02 July 1997 and 01 July 1999, and first time university students up to the age of 25, are entitled to the Men ACWY vaccine.
Call For Students To Get Meningitis Vaccine
Students are being urged to get the meningitis vaccine by the Public Health Agency. Everyone born between 02 July 1997 and 01 July 1999, and first time university students up to the age of 25, are entitled to the Men ACWY vaccine.
14 August 2009
Swine Flu: Latest NI Figures
As the priority groups who will be first to receive the swine flu vaccine were being revealed today, the Department of Health has also published the weekly flu bulletin. There were 12 new cases of laboratory confirmed swine flu during week 32, (last week) but the total number of such clinically tested cases in Northern Ireland has yet to reach 100.
Swine Flu: Latest NI Figures
As the priority groups who will be first to receive the swine flu vaccine were being revealed today, the Department of Health has also published the weekly flu bulletin. There were 12 new cases of laboratory confirmed swine flu during week 32, (last week) but the total number of such clinically tested cases in Northern Ireland has yet to reach 100.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy morning with outbreaks of rain, heavy for a time, clearing east by midday. Then sunny spells with scattered showers through the afternoon, mostly around the north coast. Maximum temperature 9 °C.Tonight:Largely dry with clear spells at first, a few showers in the north and west. Becoming cloudier with rain spreading east through the early hours. Strong winds developing, coastal gales. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
