Covid-19: Londonderry walk-in jab clinic for pregnant women opens

The first in a series of pop-up Covid-19 vaccination clinics for new and expectant mothers has been opened by the Western Health Trust.

Pregnant women or those who have given birth in the last six weeks can get a first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine with no appointment necessary.

It is part of efforts to try to increase Northern Ireland's vaccination rate, amid a rise in coronavirus cases.

On Saturday five Covid-19-linked deaths were recorded in Northern Ireland.

Another 1,437 cases people have tested positive for coronavirus.

The first of the north-west's vaccination clinics for new and expectant mothers ran at the Foyle Arena in Londonderry on Saturday afternoon.

Grainne Toland, who had a baby two weeks ago, was one of those who got a vaccine at the clinic on Saturday.

Grainne Toland recently gave birth to her baby son Luan

"It's great that this clinic is on today and gives me that opportunity," she said.

"Now that there's been more research into it and people are more confident in the vaccine it's definitely a good thing."

'Gratitude and solidarity'

A small number of people held a protest against vaccination at the clinic, with Health Minister Robin Swann later describing their action as "contemptible".

"My message to them is simple - you will not divert us from our responsibility to get as many people vaccinated as possible," he said.

"Vaccination saves lives and reduces levels of serious illness."

The minister offered his "gratitude and solidarity" to the staff who were working at the clinic.

Over the next 10 days there will be clinics for new and expectant mothers at Omagh Leisure Centre in County Tyrone and the Lakeland Forum in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.

During those clinic sessions, the centres will be closed to the general public.

The Northern Health Trust started a similar service last month.

Relaxation to the rules

On Thursday, changes to some of the remaining Covid-19 regulations were announced.

Those included the removal of bubbles for school pupils from the start of term, the return of full face-to-face learning at further and higher education facilities and changes to self-isolation requirements.

While relaxations were also made for the hospitality sector, with the previous cap of six people sitting at tables in pubs and restaurants scrapped, the executive decided against changing rules on social distancing.

But on Friday, health officials warned it was inevitable more operations would be cancelled as Northern Ireland's health service continued to struggle with Covid-19-related pressure.

The warning came after a rise in the weekly coronavirus-related death toll, as recorded by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra).

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In the Republic of Ireland, Covid-19 vaccinations are now available for 12 to 15-year-olds.

The Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) said the first vaccines were administered to that age group on Friday after the registration portal opened earlier in the week.

There are about 280,000 children aged 12 to 15 now eligible for a vaccine in the Republic of Ireland

HSE chief executive Paul Reid said more than 10,000 12 to 15-year-olds received a vaccine at their GP's practice or a vaccination centre on Friday.

On Saturday morning, figures showed that more than 75,000 people within that age group had registered for a vaccine, according to Irish national broadcaster RTÉ.

Consent is required by a parent or legal guardian for a child to receive a vaccine, and children in that age group will receive either a Pfizer or a Moderna vaccine.