Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed news those who are clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 will now be able to book their vaccination online.

From today, up to 80,000 people who received a shielding letter will be able to make an appointment at a regional vaccination centre. Online appointments are available for this weekend, while telephone booking will be available next week.

“This news will come as such a relief to those people who have been shielding for almost a year. The anxiety and loneliness caused by the pandemic has put such a strain on the clinically vulnerable, and I know many will be eager to get their appointment booked,” said the South Belfast MLA.

“I look forward to seeing progress on the vaccination of other priority groups, including those with underlying health conditions, carers and the remaining over-50s. With our most vulnerable protected, we should see a significant decrease in the number of deaths to the virus.

“Hopefully if the pace of the roll-out of the vaccination programme continues, and supply goes uninterrupted, this will mark a turning point in the fight against COVID-19.”