SSE Arena Belfast opens as NI's mass vaccination centre
The SSE Arena in Belfast has opened its doors as a mass vaccination centre for Northern Ireland's adult population.
Up to 40,000 people are expected to be vaccinated at the centre each week.
The centre is currently vaccinating anyone aged 50 or over and slots are still available.
First Minister Arlene Foster has described the opening as a "significant milestone" in the roll out of Northern Ireland's vaccination programme.
"More than 726,000 adults have now received their first dose of the vaccine and the opening of the vaccination centre here will see that figure rise significantly in the coming weeks," she said.
"I would encourage everyone who is eligible to get booked in, to help protect themselves, their families, and our community."
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “Seeing this centre in operation illustrates yet again the amazing efforts by all parts of the Health and Social Care family.
"Efforts not only to deliver the vaccination programme, but in every aspect of their response to the pandemic, as they have worked tirelessly to care for and protect our people.
"We are all looking forward to brighter days and every jab helps takes us further down the pathway towards a better and safer future.”
Health Minister Robin Swann said Northern Ireland had already made "huge in-roads" in delivering the vaccine to over half of the adult population.
"I am extremely proud of how the Northern Ireland vaccination programme is being delivered," Mr Swann said.
"I thank everyone involved, not least all the staff and volunteers who are in charge of delivering the vaccine and keeping our population safe, but also the management of the SSE Arena for helping to make this happen.”
The arena floor has the capacity for 60 separate vaccine stations.
With thousands of people expected to travel to the SSE Arena over the coming weeks, public transport has been stepped up.
Translink has revealed a new timetable encouraging people to use the transport available.
There are a number of options to get to the SSE Arena Belfast:
Europa Buscentre free shuttles – every 15 minutes from 7.45am to 8.15pm
Northside P&R to SSE Arena – free shuttles every 10 minutes from 7.40am to 8.20pm
G2 Glider services to operate every 15-minutes from the city centre
Train to Titanic Quarter station, a short walk from the SSE Arena
Car parks within the city centre can be used for park and walk, or to use the free shuttle service from Europa Bus Centre
Six regional centres will also continue to administer vaccines, as will GP surgeries.
From Monday, more than 300 community pharmacies will also become involved in the vaccine rollout.
As of Sunday, 850,041 vaccines had been administered in Northern Ireland - 726,589 of which were first doses and 123,452 were second doses.
Northern Ireland is on course to offer first jabs to the entire adult population - 1.4 million - by July.