‘Day of optimism’:
mass Covid vaccination centre is launched at SSE Arena
THE opening of Northern Ireland’s mass vaccination centre has been hailed as a day for “hope and optimism” in the fight against coronavirus.
It is anticipated around 40,000 people a week will be vaccinated at the SSE Arena in Belfast.
And yesterday the first jab was given to Gary Davidson from Lisbane, Co Down, who had his dose administered by nurse Sharon Mccomiskey.
So far 855,488 vaccines have been administered across Northern Ireland — 730,471 have been first doses and 125,017 were second doses.
The vaccination centre at the SSE will operate alongside other trust centres. Yesterday also saw the launch of a community pharmacy Covid-19 vaccination service, with almost 350 premises taking part across Northern Ireland to bring the roll-out to local high streets.
Health Minister Robin Swann called the new vaccination centre “a fantastic demonstration of our health service”, having last visited the arena with his children for an ice skating show.
First Minister Arlene Foster said: “I’m absolutely so proud of what we’ve achieved through the vaccination centre here at SSE. The staff have brought their expertise from the hospitals into this huge arena, and the same procedures and standards are going to be executed there as if you were in a hospital.”
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill called it a day for “hope and optimism”.
Many of those leaving the arena after their vaccinations thanked health workers but said it was hard to imagine when they could return to sit among crowds for a concert.
Catherine Porter (63) from
Newtownards said: “It was no problem at all today, everyone was just so nice. Whenever If first went in I found it quite unnerving.
“I never thought of seeing anything like this in my lifetime. The last thing I was here for was a Brian Kennedy concert, I never imagined this would be what I was coming back for.”
Relatives Margaret Gill (56) and Mary Porter (64) from Newtownards said they were delighted to get their first jab.
Margaret said: “I do feel a bit of relief getting it done, but personally I think I should have had it before because I work in a shop serving loads of customers.”
Mary added: “We had been offered to get the vaccine in Enniskillen, but we only live down the road so coming here made such a difference.”
Eleanor Hayes (56) from Gilnahirk said the experience had initially felt “a little chaotic” but thanked the staff.
“Everyone was good tempered and the jab itself was fine too,” she said. “When you walk into the arena it really hits you, the scale of what’s been going on over the last year.”
Ian Wilkinson (58) from Carryduff and his wife Irene Mcculla (59), who had last been here for an ice hockey game, said they were hopeful of being able to travel soon.
Peter Davidson, (58) from Helen’s Bay, was last at the arena to see a Bill Bailey concert.
“I wasn’t apprehensive, I appreciate the importance of the whole process. It was about an hour door-to-door and was very slick,” he said.
“You get a sense that it’s the next layer of protection. I can imagine coming back and sitting among a crowd — at a certain point it will just be something else that’s out there like a flu or a cold.”