Vice Chancellors of Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast jointly said:
“Our shared focus is on the resumption of a full on-campus teaching and research experience and we look forward to re-connecting with staff and students. To that end, we strongly encourage all staff and students to take up the vaccine. We welcome the NI vaccination programme’s ‘Big Jab Weekend’ initiative to boost vaccination uptake and make it as easy as possible to take this simple step. Getting vaccinated is by far the best way to protect the entire NI community and to ensure that our return to full campus operations is on a permanent basis.”
The Big Jab Weekend will see Northern Ireland’s mass vaccination centres once again offering walk-in first jabs for all adult age groups. That’s on top of ongoing vaccinations at walk-in pop-up clinics across Northern Ireland, and at participating community pharmacies.
NI’s mass vaccination centres will soon be winding down their work after nine months of intensive activity. They ceased offering first doses to the general population at the end of July, but are returning to that role for this weekend. That is part of a big push to get as many people protected from COVID-19 as possible.
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
Welcoming the initiative, Health Minister Robin Swann said:
“We want to offer people as many opportunities as possible to get the jab. There is still demand for vaccination – the take-up at walk-in clinics demonstrates that.
“No appointment will be needed at the vaccination centres this weekend or at the ongoing walk-in clinics – just turn up and get your jab at a time that suits you. It couldn’t be easier.
“Vaccination is saving lives. When we get jabbed, we are protecting ourselves, protecting others and protecting the health service. It is the single biggest contribution people can make to getting normality back. It helps opens doors to nights out, travel, music and sports events and to so many other things we have missed so much in the last 18 months.”
More information on the Big Jab Weekend can be found on the Department of Health’s website: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/big-jab-weekend-will-boost-vaccination-drive