Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill has refused to rule out the possibility of further restrictions being introduced before Christmas.
Speaking at a media briefing at Stormont today, Ms O'Neill said the Executive would keep the possibility of further interventions under "daily review" while speaking to the media at a briefing today.
She said that while the vaccine, which was administered for the first time in Northern Ireland today, shows a "clear way out" from lockdowns and restrictions.
Ms O'Neill said: "This (vaccine) shows that there is something else.
"It is not that this is an eternal pattern of lockdowns and restrictions. There is a very clear way out.
"It is a good day, certainly a day of relief and positivity."
She continued: "We have to keep everything under review, everything must be on the table. We cannot be certain but we can give people clarity around when it is going to happen.
"We have to keep the situation under daily review and that will continue throughout Christmas and the New Year."
The Deputy First Minster praised Co Down Sister Joanna Sloan, who was the first person to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
She said: "Joanna is certainly leading the way.
"It shows that there is some confidence and optimism about next year and what that will bring, the return to some normality for all of us.
"I am delighted that today is the first step forward and it will be received very positively by the public."
This comes as circuit-breaker lockdown restrictions are due to come to an end this Friday, with restaurants, food serving bars, gyms, close contact services and places of worship allowed to reopen.
The Executive has also agreed to ease coronavirus restrictions for five days over the Christmas period from December 23 to 27, which will allow household bubbles to increase from two households to three.
