The UK is the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for widespread use
The first people in NI could receive their Covid-19 vaccines as soon as 9 December
NI is expected to receive about 1.5m doses, with 25,000 coming next week in the first stage
Four more deaths with Covid-19 were recorded by the Department of Health on Wednesday, bringing its total to 1,015
That's it from us on the 成人快手 News NI live page for the coronavirus briefing with First Minister Arlene Foster, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Health Minister Robin Swann.
Thank you for your company.
Have a lovely evening.
Stormont ministers on vaccine rollout
Arlene Foster has the last word at the press conference.
Asked about the lifting of current restrictions, due to happen next Friday, she says that a full discussion will take place at a NI Executive meeting tomorrow.
"Our hope and our desire is that we'll be able to say more about that tomorrow," she says.
The health minister confirms that healthcare workers in NI, who are resident in the Republic of Ireland, will be eligible for the vaccine.
"We will support our healthcare workers as they come forward," says Mr Swann.
"If they meet the priority groups, they will be eligible for that vaccine."
Responding to a question on vaccines for care homes, Mr Swann says "forthcoming vaccines rather than the Pfizer one" could be better suited.
This is due to how the vaccine is brought out to the care homes in mobile units.
"We want to give vaccines to care homes as quickly as possible," says the health minister.
"We will get vaccines out to care homes as soon as we feasibly can."
Later in the press conference he expands on the practicalities of giving out the vaccine to priority groups.
"When you look at what the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have said, although they say the care homes area should be a priority, they have acknowledged that there will have to be some flexibility in deployment," he says.
"We do know that this vaccine comes in batches of just under 1,000 and it must be distilled in aseptic conditions, under the supervision of a pharmacist, so it does not lend itself easily for utilisation in care homes.
"While the criteria has been set, we need to make sure the characteristics of the vaccines meet the need and the ability to deploy it in certain settings."
Mrs Foster says she hopes the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid vaccine will be given validation "soon, so hopefully there will not be a gap between residents and staff".
Mr Swann answers a question about what advice will be given to pregnant women who are working in the health service.
"Women who are currently pregnant or who become pregnant during the cycle of the vaccine are advised not to take it as we do not have the scientific evidence for that specific group," he says.
Now answering questions from journalists, the ministers are asked about a possible lockdown during a third wave next year.
Mr Swann responds that nothing is certain and says that previously he has "not hesitated to bring measures forward" to the NI Executive.
Ms O'Neill follows by saying that "unfortunately there hasn't been that certainty that people crave", but that there would be certainty with a vaccine.
First Minister Arlene Foster announces a new 拢10m scheme for newly self-employed people who have been adversely affected by the pandemic.
Those eligible will be entitled to an initial grant of 拢3,500, topped up as appropriate.
鈥淚t is important we do all we can to help those who have borne the brunt of Covid in so many different ways," she says.
She also says there will be new targeted rapid testing which will give students and their families assurance of a safe return home for Christmas.
There is "hard and difficult work" still to do, she says, but the new Covid taskforce will help to bring together all the different elements together to get life 鈥渂ack to normal鈥.
She also adds that the executive will discuss tomorrow about how to move out of current lockdown restrictions due to end on 11 December.
She says there remains much to do but urges people to stick together and look ahead to returning to our pre-Covid way of life.
Mr Swann has issued a note of caution and states there are "particular logistical difficulties" in relation to the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine - relating to how it is stored and transported.
He says the other vaccines could be more easily distributed, and could be "better for care homes".
Mr Swann also notes that administering the vaccine is "heavily dependent on available supplies".
Robin Swann starts his address with his sympathies for the four people who have died with coronavirus in NI in the past 24 hours, before noting today's breakthrough.
The health minister calls it "a momentous day", but says there are still "many more steps along this long and difficult path to go".
He encourages people to follow health guidance in the run up to Christmas, and encourages the public to "stick with us".
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill turns her focus to the "post-pandemic world" and what the focus should be on.
She says there is a need for "a fair and more compassionate society for everyone".
Ms O'Neill says there is "an opportunity for an inclusive recovery" and "our future focus must be to build on the work which has been done" during the pandemic.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill follows up now by reemphasising the need to stick to the health measures.
"This is a good day, it certainly is a day of hope for many, many people," she says.
Ms O'Neill says it will take "a huge effort, a coordinated effort" to roll out the vaccine, and goes on to thank healthcare workers for their efforts during the pandemic.
"Thank you, thank you so much, and I hope you are heartened today by this news."
First Minister Arlene Foster is first at the podium.
She tells the Stormont briefing that the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine is 鈥渕omentous news鈥, that we have all 鈥測earned for all year鈥.
鈥淥ur task now is to deliver our vaccination programme as soon as possible,鈥 she says.
鈥淭his is our pathway back to normality 鈥 a world where can hug our wider family and friends, mark major life events and freely enjoy travel and leisure activities."
She pays tribute to the medical and scientific community and to those on the front line who are still 鈥渂attling the deadly virus鈥.
However she reiterates that this is "not the end of the fight against Covid", that 鈥渘o-one is as yet protected" and the virus is "just as dangerous until you receive the vaccine鈥.
"This is our path way out but we must walk all of that path and until we reach the end we must stick to the the public health advice," she adds.
Image source, PacemakerNI's chief medical officer says that the announcement on the vaccine makes for a "very exciting day but we need to balance optimism with care and caution over the next few months".
Speaking on the 成人快手's Evening Extra programme, Dr Michael McBride said that people must continue to follow the government guidelines, in a bid to limit the spread of coronavirus.
He also stressed that the vaccine is safe.
The Pfizer/BioNTech jab is the fastest vaccine to go from concept to reality, taking only 10 months to follow the same steps that normally span about 10 years.
"We would never deploy a vaccine that isn't safe - we wouldn't duck any checks," he said.
'This is not like other vaccines'
The Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine has been approved by the regulatory body, the MRHA for widespread use.
The UK is the first country in the world to approve the vaccine for widespread use.
About 25,000 doses are set to arrive in NI from next week and vaccinations could begin shortly after.
That is a few days ahead of schedule the original estimate of 14 December.
The Ulster Hospital is designated as one of seven vaccine points.
It will facilitate mostly South Eastern Trust staff, but people who live in the area and work for another trust can opt to receive their jab there.
Read more here.
The vaccine trains the immune system to fight coronavirus.
It is a new type of jab called an RNA vaccine and uses a tiny fragment of the virus's genetic code.
This starts making part of the virus inside the body, which the immune system recognises as foreign and starts to attack.
It is given in two doses - three weeks apart - and offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19.
First Minister Arlene Foster, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Health Minister Robin Swann are due to give a briefing from Stormont shortly.
They will be talking about NI's vaccination programme.
Stay with us as we bring you all the developments as they happen.