Good afternoon

Health minister Robin Swann has issued a statement accusing those spreading claims about the vaccine on social media of “overstepping the line” after a DUP councillor claimed the vaccine contained “human cells”.

He said, “The Covid-19 vaccination programme is not compulsory. People are entitled to their own views and I fully respect that. However, they are not entitled to mislead others and potentially deter them from taking a vaccine that will protect them from a lethal virus".

His statement comes as the Department of Health announced it has recorded an additional 14 Covid-19 related deaths in Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours. It takes the DoH Covid-19 death-toll to 1,099.

Two more Belfast bars have released statements saying they won’t be reopening due to coronavirus restrictions. The Sunflower and Kelly’s Cellars both took to social media to update their customers as restrictions on the hospitality sector are set to ease.

Meanwhile it's been revealed that a 100-year-old woman was among residents at a Belfast care home to receive the coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday. Ethel Sinclair gave the thumbs up after receiving the injection at Bradley Manor, a care home in the north of the city.

Keep safe

Michael Cousins
Deputy digital editor

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