No new deaths related to Covid-19 have been reported by the Department of Health
The Department of Health's toll of coronavirus-related deaths remains at 2,107
An additional 139 people have tested positive for Covid-19, following tests on 1,856 individuals
A total of 694,863 individuals in Northern Ireland have received one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while 96,254 have received two
Northern Ireland is about a month ahead of the Republic's vaccination programme, according to the Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin.
Image source, PacemakerThat's all for this evening folks - thanks for joining us here on BBC News NI's Covid-19 live page.
We will be back again for the next NI Executive press conference.
Dr McBride says the government is monitoring the safety of vaccines and that variants "are just going to be a fact of life".
"The public can be ensured of the ongoing observation of the safety and the continued efficacy of these vaccines."
He says of the effectiveness of the current vaccines, that "even with those variants that are in circulation, [they] should provide protection from severe disease and death.
"If we need to change the vaccines... that work is ongoing and now that we have those vaccines produced that can be taken forward very, very quickly."
He adds: "Whether we require booster doses of different or tweaked vaccines in future is still to be decided."
Image source, Getty ImagesPatricia Donnelly gave more information about targets for the vaccination programme.
The adult population of Northern Ireland is approximately 1.4 million people aged 18 or over.
She says the aim is to have administered all first doses by July.
Image source, ReutersThe daily Covid-19 infection rate is still "higher than we would like", Dr McBride says.
He adds, "But things are improving.
"The short-term trajectory however remains uncertain as we ease our way out."
The health minister says the "fragility" of Northern Ireland's health system means the "need for caution" as the country moves out of lockdown.
He urges people to bear this in mind going forward.
Asked why shielding was dropped as an official term, Dr McBride says it gave the "wrong view of disempowering individuals".
He says conversations with those who were clinically vulnerable showed a "very significant harm caused by using terminology such as shielding".
"This was not about isolating people from society but about isolating the virus form those people."
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, ReutersThe health minister says that foreign travel in the near future is "very much" out of the question for the summer holidays.
Robin Swann says that across the UK's nation measures were being taken to restrict travel, including fines on people who chose to travel.
Mr Swann added that there are no direct international flights into Northern Ireland at the moment, and the potential for hotel quarantine here was being examined by the executive.
Mr Swann says that NI has always "kept a watchful eye on supplies", and had already dealt with setbacks.
He is responding to a question about the EU announcing it would place some export controls on vaccines.
He says that the Moderna vaccine is due to become available in Northern Ireland - and that a set back of losing five million vaccines over India's decision on vaccine exports had been dealt with.
There is a note of hope - quickly followed by one of caution.
Dr McBride says we can now "dare to look to something better" as the vaccine roll-out continues.
He adds: "Please remember vaccines don't provide perfect protection.
"Keep your contacts limited and remember we're not out of the woods just yet."
Chief Medical Officer Michael McBride has announced the easing of advice for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable.
From 12 April they can attend their workplace, if it's not possible to work from home, provided it can be done safely, in response to the "improving" outlook in Northern Ireland.
He says: "It is a sad fact that there are still too many greatly impacted by this virus. There have been sacrifices made by many in the past year. We have all missed our family friends."
He goes on to say some groups have been impacted more than others, referring to those are clinically vulnerable, and the sacrifices they have made.
Patricia Donnelly acknowledged some people my be frustrated by the vaccine rollout, but that it was "uncharted territory"
"Supplies of the vaccine are continuing, they're steady," she said.
"They're coming in as scheduled, to increase in further weeks ahead.
"The target of reaching all adult age groups by the summer is firmly within our sights."
Patricia Donnelly said the vaccination programme in Northern Ireland was a "real team effort".
She added that next week more than 300 community pharmacies will join that effort.
The programme head appealed to people not to abuse the system.
"Don't book multiple appointments, don't be a no show.
"Don't book at a centre if you've already confirmed a date with your GP.
"And please don't book if you're not eligible. If you do, you'll be turned away at the vaccination centre."
The health minister strikes a note of caution against complacency, and says the "single biggest threat" against rebuilding in Northern Ireland would be a new surge of cases.
"The pandemic has highlighted serious fragility" in the health and social care sector.
This is particularLY true in relation to staffing, he says, and that this has come from long-term underfunding.
Health Minister Robin Swann starts by noting that there have been no further deaths reported today.
He describes this as "very welcome news".
He says in the past year Northern Ireland has "united as a society" and "defied the critics".
Mr Swann also notes that Fermanagh and Omagh council area have recorded no new cases, the first time this has happened in any council area for months.
On Monday all primary school pupils and those in years 12 to 14 of post-primary returned to school in Northern Ireland.
As part of the return to school some staff and year groups are being offered at-home Covid-19 tests.
Schools are using a self-test Lateral Flow Device (LFD) which provides a result within 30 minutes.
Image source, PA MediaBBC News NI has taken a look at some of the questions parents and pupils might have, including who is being tested and is the testing voluntary or mandatory?
You can read the full guide here.
Some positive news ahead of this afternoon's press conference is that there have been no further coronavirus-related deaths recorded by the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.
It means the department's total number of deaths remains at 2,107.
An additional 139 people have tested positive for Covid-19, following tests on 1,856 individuals.
There were 154 people in hospital with coronavirus as of midnight, 14 in intensive care and 12 being
Thank you for joining us on BBC News NI's Covid-19 livepage.
We will shortly be bringing you an update from the NI Executive with Health Minister Robin Swann, Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride, and Patricia Donnelly, head of Northern Ireland's Covid-19 vaccine programme.