COVID-19 vaccination programme in Northern Ireland

COVID-19 vaccination programme in Northern Ireland

COVID-19 vaccination programme in Northern Ireland

Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines have been approved for use in the UK and are available in Northern Ireland.

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Groups to be offered the vaccine first

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), an independent expert group, has recommended that this vaccine is offered first to those at highest risk of catching the virus and of suffering serious complications if they are infected.

This includes:

  • frontline health and social care workers
  • care home residents and staff
  • and those with certain clinical conditions

When more vaccine becomes available, the vaccines will be offered to other people at risk as soon as possible.

Vaccine safety and effectiveness

The vaccine has met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Other vaccines are being developed. They will only be available once they have been thoroughly tested to make sure they are safe and effective.

While the vaccine may help protect you from coronavirus, it’s still important to follow social distancing and other public health guidance, as well as complying with any restrictions to keep each other safe.

COVID-19 vaccination programme plan

The Department of Health has published a vaccination phased plan document on their website, outlining when different groups can expect to get the vaccine and how it will be deployed:

Further information about the vaccine

The Public Health Agency has developed a frequently asked questions section, including leaflets, about the vaccine on its website:

COVID-19 vaccination programme in Northern Ireland

VCSE COVID Recovery Fund reopening for applications January 2021

The Department for Communities are reopening the Voluntary, Community and Social Economy (VCSE) COVID Recovery Fund for applications on 18 January 2021.

The scheme which closed on 11 December 2020, will reopen for applications under Theme 3 of the Fund (Future PPE and Sundry Equipment needs) for a period of two weeks from 18 January 2021 to 29 January 2021.

Importantly to help ensure that VCSE organisations have the PPE required to continue service delivery, the maximum award from this part of the Fund which was previously capped at £2,000, will rise to £5,000. Organisations who were previously successful in applying to this element of the fund can reapply to receive up to £5k (e.g. if an organisation was awarded £2k from the 1st round of applications, they can apply for a further £3k).

This opportunity for groups to make new or additional applications will help provide the Sector with the opportunity to plan ahead and ensure their premises are ready to deliver services as soon as Covid restrictions are relaxed.

As before, the Fund will be distributed by Co-operation Ireland in partnership with Rural Community Network.

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