Health Minister Robin Swann thanks vaccine teams as ‘every jab takes us further down the pathway towards a better and safer future’

Speaking on a visit to the vaccination centre at the Seven Towers Leisure Centre in Ballymena, the Health Minister said: “The success of our vaccination programme is down to the hard work and dedication of the health care teams and volunteers working in GP practices, pharmacies and vaccination centres right across Northern Ireland

“It is testament to them that we surpassed the one million vaccines milestone at the weekend and over 820,000 people in Northern Ireland have now received a vaccine.”

Minister Swann added: “Every jab takes us further down the pathway towards a better and safer future and I would call on people to get the vaccine when their turn comes, or if you fall into one of the eligible cohorts then book your appointment today.

“Do not delay. Having received my first COVID-19 vaccine I can assure people that it was a quick and straightforward process and I’m grateful that I’ll soon have some protection from this awful virus while I await my second dose in due course.”

Since opening its doors in December 2020, the vaccination centre has administered 100,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Jennifer Welsh, Chief Executive of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust said: “I would like to pay tribute to the team at the Seven Towers Leisure Centre and our mobile vaccination team which is operating across the Trust.

“It’s a huge team effort to run a programme like this and everyone has played their part.

“They have shown extraordinary commitment and dedication over the course of the past four months and have played a crucial role in the fight against this virus.

“ I know that it’s a great sense of relief for people to receive their vaccine and I’m very proud of our staff and what they have achieved to date.”

Ms Welsh added: “This has been an exceptionally tough year for our health service but the vaccine provides hope for the days ahead.”