THE Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) began administering Pfizer jabs for 16- and 17-year-olds at each of its three mass vaccination centres and mobile clinics today, Friday, August 6.

All centres have high numbers of people receiving second Covid-19 vaccination jabs booked in the coming weeks, so although 16- and 17-year-olds can walk in for their vaccine, the Western Trust is asking all within this cohort to book their appointment online to ensure that they avoid a long wait, or possibly even being turned away and asked to come back another day.

The Trust’s vaccination centres have been closed for all other first doses, but they are facilitating first doses for these specific age groups.

Individuals aged 16 or 17 who wish to make an appointment can do so at https://covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated/; or by calling the regional booking line at 0300 200 7813, from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm.

The announcement came after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) this week recommended that Covid-19 vaccine first doses be provided to all such teenagers in that age group.

From today, all regional vaccination centres across Northern Ireland, including each of the three Western Trust-run centres (including Omagh Leisure Centre and the Lakeland Forum, Enniskillen) are providing walk-in Pfizer first jabs for 16- and 17-year-olds.

The Trust is also providing Pfizer first doses to 16- and 17-year-olds at its mobile walk-in clinics being held across the Western Trust area from today, including the following:

Derg Valley Healthy Living Centre, Castlederg next Thursday, August 12, from 4-8pm.

St. Mary's Primary School, Derrylin, on Tuesday, August 17, from 4-8pm.

Strathroy Community Centre, Omagh on Thursday, August 26, from 4-8pm.

Dromore Sports Complex on Friday, September 3, from 4-8pm

This list is being updated regularly, so to find out more about where and when mobile vaccination clinics are being held, or to view the available slots at vaccination centres, see bit.ly/WTCOVID19Vaccination.