Coronavirus vaccinations of care home residents and staff have started at locations across the UK.
The Palmerston Residential Home in Belfast is understood to be the first in the Western world to see all care home residents and staff vaccinated against coronavirus.
A total of 60 residents and staff were given the Pfizer jab after Northern Ireland’s Department of Health reached an agreement with Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the UK's vaccinations regulator.
Meanwhile in England, mass vaccination of staff has started across The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) care homes.
OSJCT homes in Lincolnshire led the way with 36 from Beckside care home in Lincoln being vaccinated at Lincoln County Hospital.
“The response from my colleagues was great with so many willing to get the vaccination on days off or outside working hours because they know this is a great way to keep our residents as safe as possible," said Beckside home manager Andrea Brooks (pictured, centre).
“Having this vaccine available has really brought up spirits in the home – there’s a very positive feeling from all the team," she added.
OSJCT staff in Oxford, Henley and Chipping Norton are also booking in for their vaccinations and Gloucestershire workers have bookings available at Redwood Education Centre at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for all team members.
OSJCT said is it working closely with local authorities and hospitals to ensure that colleagues in Wiltshire, Sussex and Suffolk have the same opportunity as soon as possible.
