AQW 21411/17-22 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health whether people who have exceptional assurance to stay in the UK for a limited amount of time, as they are unable to return to a country due to Covid-19 impacts on travel or entry, will be entitled to a COVID-19 vaccine.
Asked by Stewart Dickson MLA on 5 July 2021
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 5 July 2021
- Answer due by
- 22 July 2021
- Answered
- 19 August 202145 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
A mechanism has been available to those not registered with a GP in Northern Ireland due to being temporarily resident here for some time.
The NI Direct webpage “Get a Covid 19 Vaccination in Northern Ireland” contains the following advice:
“If you're not registered with a GP in NI but live here or are temporarily a resident in NI, you should email the Department of Health at COVID-19VaccinationProgramme@health-ni.gov.uk and they will advise you how you can be vaccinated.”
Once eligibility was established, a vaccination was arranged at one of the regional trust vaccination centres. This enabled those who were temporarily living in Northern Ireland to access vaccinations.
There has been a high volume of enquiries via this mechanism indicating strong awareness of this route to accessing a vaccination.
Further, the Public Health Agency organised vaccination clinics tailored to asylum seekers on 18th May and 19th May. All Asylum Seekers and migrants are eligible for the Covid Vaccine regardless of their status. They all can attend local Popup Vaccine Clinics and some local Pharmacies are offering Moderna Vaccine.
In July , the Red Cross and the Public Health Agency delivered 4 evening workshops. These were attended by over 80 asylum seekers and refugees from Eritrea, Sudan, Iran and Somalia, with the final workshop being delivered to those who arrived within the previous 2 weeks and most in need to vaccine info having not been exposed to any local health information to date.
Vaccination clinics led by Belfast Health and Social Care Trust were held on 27 and 28 July. These clinics saw 324 people vaccinated and supported by NINES (NI New Entrants Service) with interpreters. Many of those attending, received their first vaccine.
A further clinic is planned for September.