A drive to increase Northern Ireland’s vaccine uptake rate could reduce hospital admissions by as much as 50% this summer.
And a surge in COVID-19 cases is expected to peak by late summer in Northern Ireland. Infection numbers have been climbing in recent weeks, reflecting the spread of the now dominant Delta variant.
An 85% take-up for first doses is in reach by the end of July. However, achieving an even higher rate of 90% would make a decisive difference, in terms of preventing serious illness and hospitalisations.
Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Ian Young said modelling indicates that if the country could get to 90% first dose take-up by the end of July, that could reduce hospital admissions by half when the peak comes.
“This assumes that everyone getting the first dose goes on to get their second dose, and the fuller protection it provides.
“It would mean hundreds fewer people in hospital, hundreds fewer suffering serious and potentially life-threatening illness. It would also significantly ease potential pressures on our health service,” he said.
Professor Young added that if more people start acting in a way that helps spread the virus, then the peak will likely be more severe.
“The modelling does provide us with an insight into the tangible benefits of further increasing vaccine take-up rate. There is a race between vaccination and the variant. Every jab counts.”
Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Michael McBride said an 85% take-up rate would itself be a remarkable achievement.
“However, the spread of the Delta variant means we are unable to even think about the mission being accomplished. We must push on.
“We are into the hard yards in the race against the variant. Vaccination rates have slowed somewhat in recent weeks, which is not surprising given the extent of the population already reached. Every effort will continue to be made to get more people jabbed,” he added.
Three centres – SSE Arena, Belfast; Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena; and South Lake Leisure Centre, Craigavon – are offering first dose walk-ins every day from Monday. The Foyle Arena will be facilitating walk-ins every day from this Tuesday.
Walk-in first jabs will also be available at Omagh Leisure Centre on July 5, 6 and 7 and at Lakeland Forum, Fermanagh on July 8.
All NI’s regional vaccination centres continue to offer vaccination appointment bookings for first doses.
Meanwhile the Health Minister Robin Swann has warmly welcomed the awarding of the George Cross by the Queen to the NHS.