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Eileen Lynch, 94, one of the first people in Northern Ireland to receive the Oxford / AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine.
He was delivered in GP surgery on the Falls Road in West Belfast this afternoon.
Up to 11,000 people over the age of 80 will receive the jab this week.
John Gray (84) leaned on his cane and said: “I’m relieved, let’s say that.
“It has been difficult for my partner and for me.”
Your partner will have to wait a little longer for the vaccination.
Gray added: “Other than that, I’m very happy to be here.”
A batch of 50,000 doses has been assigned and will initially prioritize those over 80 years of age.
Gray added that he had been through adversity before, including the World War II Blitz. “It didn’t terrify me, let’s put it that way.
“You just accept that there is a risk,” he said.
The country has moved to speed up delivery of the inoculation as the pace of the pandemic has accelerated.
The newest and most infectious variant of Covid-19 has been detected in Northern Ireland. The number of coronavirus infections has increased rapidly.
Medical directors across the UK have decided to delay the delivery of the second injection of vaccines.
Northern Ireland Medical Director Dr Michael McBride said: “This is a sea change in terms of the vaccine program, because this is (a program) that will allow us to get the vaccine to people through general practices. and what we must do now is continue vaccinating the most vulnerable and at risk in the safest and fastest way possible.
He added: “It certainly is a game changer.
“It’s what we were waiting for.”
Some 40,000 people have already been vaccinated.
Seven trust-based health centers have been opened and local government premises used.
More than 40 GP consultations are available as of today, McBride said. “In a few weeks we will have all people over 80 vaccinated,” he added.
The senior doctor defended the decision to prioritize the first doses, saying the critics weren’t fully informed.
McBride said the Pfizer vaccine provided more than 90% immunity from a first dose, AstraZeneca more than 70%, and that did not subside beyond 21 days.
He added: “That will make rapid strides for those most at risk.
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“This is also how we reduce the pressures on our health services.”
The officials’ intention is that the maximum number of people receive their first puncture, with their partial protection, as soon as possible to help stem the tide of cases that threatens to overwhelm the health service.
BMA Northern Ireland President Dr Tom Black said: “A delayed second dose of Pfizer is a mistake. Everybody knows.”
Northern Ireland is in the second week of a six-week lockdown in which nonessential retail is shut down.
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