The Department of Health has published its latest detailed breakdown of Northern Ireland’s (NI) vaccination numbers.

The vaccination programme is continuing to make excellent progress, with the addition of a number of new cohorts in recent weeks.

Patricia Donnelly, head of NI’s vaccination programme, said: “We are significantly ahead of our original schedule, and our Trust vaccination centres are now offering slots to 60 to 64-year-olds, and it’s important that anyone who’s eligible gets online to book an appointment without delay.

“We are also continuing to vaccinate people who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person. They have been coming forward in very large numbers, and we have made available additional vaccination slots to cope with the demand.

“When we start our programme of second-dose vaccinations, appointments for first doses will not be as easy to obtain [then as they currently are].

"Therefore for those eligible, the best time to get booking is now.”

The latest running total shows 582,881 vaccines have been administered, to date. Of these, 545,019 have been first doses, and 37,862 have been second doses.

"The numbers divide almost exactly evenly between GP practices and the Trust-run vaccination centres, underlining the value of our twin-track approach," said the vaccinations head.

To date, the vaccinations progress includes first doses received by:

– 96% of over 80-year-olds; 69,146 people.

– 91% of 75-79 age group; 56,474 people.

– 86% of 70-74 age group; 70,098 people.

– 72% of 65-69 age group; 64,643 people.

– 45% of CEV (Clinically Extremely Vulnerable) group; 42,832 people. Many CEV people will be in the 65-plus age group, so are being covered in that section of the vaccination programme.