Covid-19: Vaccines now available in NI to everyone aged 50 and over

People aged 50 or สมัครslotxo over in Northern Ireland can now book their Covid-19 vaccine appointment, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced.

Those who are eligible and wish to receive the vaccine can booking it online or be contacted by their GPs.

Booking slots are available at the seven regional vaccination centres.

There was some frustration about the length of time some people were having to wait in the queue to book their slot on Monday.

However, Mr Swann told the assembly that in the first three hours of the slots opening 30,000 people had booked vaccines.

The centres will primarily be using the AstraZeneca vaccine for first doses, to maximise available vaccine supplies.

Anyone who received the Pfizer vaccine as a first dose will still receive the Pfizer vaccine for their second dose.

Northern Ireland's health minister told the assembly that the "benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks".

It comes after health officials in Northern Ireland said they would continue to use the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after its suspension in the Republic of Ireland.

The temporary suspension of the vaccine is already having an impact on the republic's immunisation programme.

About 30,000 vaccination appointments for health staff and those at high-risk might be delayed, according to RTÉ.