Big Jab Weekend massive opportunity in battle against coronavirus

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone who hasn’t yet had the COVID-19 vaccine to get it at the ‘Big Jab Weekend’ this Saturday and Sunday.

The promotion on 21 and 22 August will see Northern Ireland’s mass vaccination centres offering walk-in first jabs for all adult age groups, as well as vaccines being available at walk-in pop-up clinics across Northern Ireland and at participating community pharmacies.

Dr Jillian Johnston, Public Health Consultant at the PHA, said: “We are making a big push for anyone who hasn’t yet had the vaccine to get it this weekend. I know some people may have lingering concerns or think that they don’t need it, but I urge anyone who still hasn’t had the free jab to make a positive choice and get it.

“The vaccines have been rigorously tested and have been approved for use. All vaccines carry a small risk, but the benefits heavily outweigh this. These vaccines are the key to unlocking the pandemic and helping to make our community safe. Please don’t listen to armchair ‘experts’ on social media – the approved COVID-19 vaccines offer the best protection against COVID-19.

“I would also urge anyone who thinks that coronavirus isn’t a risk to think again – just this week we have sadly seen an increase in deaths from COVID-19, so it is essential that we don’t ignore the fact that this is a lethal virus.

“Even if older or vulnerable people you know have been double-jabbed, there is still a risk that they could contract the disease and become seriously ill as no vaccine is 100% effective. This is especially the case if you haven’t been vaccinated yourself and are spending time with them, as this increases your risk of infecting them, so see the jab as not only an opportunity to reduce your risk of disease and long-COVID, but also a way to provide added protection for those you care about.”

The ‘Big Jab Weekend’ will be the last chance for anyone aged 18 and over to get their first jab at a mass vaccination centre.

Coronavirus not only affects those who contract it, but is also placing severe pressure on the wider health service.

Dr Aisling Diamond, Doctor in Emergency Medicine at the Southern Trust, said: “We all have a role to play in the effort to help reduce the spread and threat of coronavirus, but also to help protect more vulnerable members of our family and community such as cancer patients and people awaiting transplants – hospitals, doctors and nurses can’t do this alone.

“When people do not get vaccinated or stick to the simple steps that can reduce spread, then the result is that we cannot operate on your father, your mother, your granny because the doctor who should have been doing the surgery is now working in a ward looking after you. I would urge anyone who thinks that this is not a serious issue to wise up, do the right thing, and get the jab.”

Ahead of the ‘Big Jab Weekend’, anyone aged 16 and over can get their first vaccine dose at the ongoing series of localised walk-in clinics being held across Northern Ireland.

And 16 and 17 year olds will continue to be able to get Pfizer vaccine first jabs every day at the mass vaccination centres.

In addition, anyone aged 18 and over can also book a Moderna vaccine first dose appointment at participating community pharmacies. The number of pharmacies offering first dose appointments has now been expanded to 48. More details on pharmacy bookings are available on the healthandcareni website at: www.healthandcareni.net/pharmacy_rota/Covid_Moderna_Vaccination_Pharmacies.html

Information on where to get the vaccine is available at www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/get-covid-19-vaccination-northern-ireland