Northern Ireland: Covid vaccine will be available to physios working in the independent sector

This includes self-employed, charity and other non-HSC practitioners.

The CSP had been lobbying the Department of Health in Northern Ireland for urgent access to the Covid-19 vaccine for all health and social care workers, regardless of sector.

This is in line with UK-wide Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation recommendations.

Physiotherapists working for charities, non-HSC public bodies, independent providers and who are self-employed will be able to book an available appointment for vaccination at one of the trust vaccination centres from 18 January.

Correspondence from the Department of Health states that:

AHP independent practitioners will be able to receive their Covid-19 vaccination via the Trust-based programme using the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, commencing 18 January 2021

'A digital booking platform has been established for this purpose and they will be able to book an appointment at a time and location which is convenient to them. This can be at any Trust vaccination site with availability on their preferred date.'

CSP policy director Rob Yeldham said: 'This is a very welcome development by the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.

I would urge all physiotherapy practitioners in this group to avail of the vaccine as soon as they can and book through the digital booking platform

'We now have clarity in Northern Ireland, and local arrangements are being put in place across England. Officials in Wales and Scotland are working on arrangements for those countries.

'The CSP is continuing to lobby for access to vaccines for all members treating patients across the UK and crown dependencies.'

For further information see our Covid-19 Vaccine FAQs