Northern Ireland

Pop-up clinics to target areas with low Covid vaccine uptake

Covid-19 vaccine appointments were made available for a limited number of people aged between 35 and 39-years-old
Covid-19 vaccine appointments were made available for a limited number of people aged between 35 and 39-years-old Covid-19 vaccine appointments were made available for a limited number of people aged between 35 and 39-years-old

POP-UP clinics are to be set up in areas with a low uptake of Covid vaccinations.

Clinics are to be established in the Northern and Southern health trusts, Dr Patricia Donnelly, who leads the north's vaccination programme, told a Stormont briefing yesterday.

The Northern and Southern trusts have been "traditionally low in uptake for the flu vaccine, or different types of screening programme", Dr Donnelly said.

"We've always said that, if you can bring the vaccine closer to people, they're more likely to take it.

"Many motivated people go to the vaccination centres, will travel distances to get their vaccine, but for those who are a little bit more doubtful, we have to provide more locally accessible [sites]."

Clinics could be set up in sport and community centres and workplaces, she said.

Ballymena, Cookstown and Coleraine are being looked as possible sites for pop-up clinics.

Meanwhile, coronavirus has claimed the lives of 16 further people across Ireland, new figures show.

One person died in Northern Ireland within the last 24 hours. A further 15 deaths were reported in the Republic.

Two of the 15 deaths in the Republic were recorded in April, three in March, six in February, and four in January or earlier.

The number of deaths in the north now stands at 2,137, according to statistics from the Department of Health.

A further 116 people have tested positive for coronavirus.

A total of 59 people are in hospital with Covid-19 - nine of which are in intensive care.

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Northern Ireland stands at 119,351.

The council area with the highest number of new cases over the last seven days remains Derry and Strabane. Ards and North Down saw the lowest number of cases.

In the Republic, an additional 401 cases have been reported.

A total of 47 people with coronavirus are being treated in intensive care.

New figures also showed a significant reduction in the number of Covid-19 outbreaks in the last week.

A total of 252 outbreaks were reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre - a reduction of 76 outbreaks compared with the previous week.

Meanwhile, Dunluce Castle in Co Antrim will reopen to the public from tomorrow following a relaxation of Covid restrictions.

The Gobbins cliff path in Islandmagee in Co Antrim will reopen for tours on Monday.

Several other historic sites, including Carrickfergus Castle in Co Antrim and Scrabo Tower in Co Down, will remain closed to the public in line with Executive guidance.