Welcome to the Public Health Agency

woman in a scarf shingles vaccination

From September people aged 18+ with a severely weakened immune system will be e…

About the Public Health Agency

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary organisation dedicated to improving and protecting the health of the population. As part of the health and social care family, we work closely with the Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) of the Department of Health (DoH), local Health Trusts (HSC Trusts), the Business Services Organisation (BSO) and the Patient Client Council (PCC), and other partners to drive meaningful change across Northern Ireland. 

Guided by our vision of a healthier Northern Ireland, our purpose is to protect and improve the health and social wellbeing of our population.  We are committed to reducing health inequalities through leadership, partnership, and evidence-based practice.

Latest news

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Latest publications

  • Shingles factsheet for health professionals

    28 August 2025

    This factsheet for health professionals covers the current vaccination programme against shingles, including the vaccine, contraindications, side effects, and the latest eligibility groups.

  • The shingles vaccine - to help protect you from the pain of shingles

    27 August 2025

    Shingles can be very painful, especially for older people and people with a weaker immune system. Sometimes the pain can stop you from doing your normal activities. This leaflet describes shingles and...

  • Alcohol and pregnancy: think before you drink

    26 August 2025

    This leaflet is for pregnant women or women who may become pregnant now or in the future. It explains the impact of alcohol on an unborn baby, and supports women to make healthier choices.

All publications

Featured content

  • Read the latest issue of the PHA Update. The PHA Update serves as a regular communication channel, sharing news, progress reports, upcoming campaigns and initiatives, and developments across public health programmes.

  • COVID-19 genomics weekly report. This report describes and monitors the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) variants in Northern Ireland.

  • The PHA has integrated influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 reporting into a weekly report to provide a single overview of the epidemiology of these infections in Northern Ireland, along with the number of respiratory care home outbreaks, hospital admissions and occupancy, and deaths.

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