Pop-up vaccination centre in Coalisland

A POP-UP vaccination centre will open in Coalisland this weekend as a major push is made in the battle against coronavirus.

Opening on Saturday from 9.30am to 3.30pm at the Parochial Centre on the Stewartstown Road in the town, the clinic will offer jabs to those aged 18 and over.

Those attending are asked to bring along photographic identification, as well as their Health and Care Number (if known). The clinic will only offer first doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

Earlier this week, it was claimed that the drive to increase the North’s vaccine take-up rate could reduce hospital admissions by as much as 50 per-cent this summer.

In addition to the mobile walk-in clinics, a number of NI’s regional vaccination centres will now be offering walk-ins every day for people who have not booked a first dose appointment.

Health experts warn that 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.

The Department of Health have said an 85 per-cent take-up for first doses is in reach by the end of July.