The first Covid-19 vaccine on the island of Ireland will be rolled out in the north today.
Vaccinators will be the first to get the Pfizer-BioNTech jab, while residents in care homes will start to get it over the coming days.
12,500 people there are to get the shot as part of this first batch, which involves getting two doses, 21 days apart.
Meanwhile nursing homes, healthcare workers and over 75s will be the first to get it here when it becomes available, under plans going to cabinet today.
Immunology Professor at Trinity College Dublin, Kingston Mills, says the roll out in the north is positive.
"I think it's fantastic news. The MHRA were quick off the mark in licensing the vaccine.
"I think it took a few of us by surprise that it was fact so quickly, but I understand that they would have done a very thorough job so I don't have any concerns about that.
"I think the European Medicines Agency which will regulate the vaccines in the rest of Europe including Ireland will probably follow suit on the 29th of December when they're due to meet."
