Public resources
Immunisation protects against serious diseases, reducing riss for individuals and communities. Find detailed guidance and resources on NI Direct.
Childhood immunisations
Protecting children from an early age is vital to their health.
- For infants and children under 2 years: Vaccines in this age provide protection against diseass such as diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and whooping cough.
- For preschool children ( aged 2- 4 years): Children in this age group should receive booster vaccines to strengthen their immunity against serious illnesses.
MMR vaccine:
- Protects your child against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles).
- Given as a single injection containing three vaccines.
- Schedule: 1st dose: just after your child's first birthday, 2nd dose: at three years and four months old.
- Why it's important: Measles, mumps and rubella can cause severe complications. Early vaccination is critical to keep your child safe. Click for more information and advice on MMR.
Immunisations for 11-18 year olds
- HPV vaccine: protects against the human papillornavirus, which can lead to certain cancers.
- Teenage vaccinations 14-18 years old: these include boosters and additional vaccines to maintain long-term immunity.
- Those attending University for the first time: First-time university attendees are encouraged to ensure they are fully vaccinated, including protection against meningitis.
Immunisation during pregnancy
Vaccination during pregnancy helps protect both mother and baby.
- Whooping cough: helps protect newborns from this serious disease. Leaflet available here
- Influenza: pregnant women are at higher risk from flu complications.
- Rubella: learn about risks of rubella during your pregnancy.
- Hepatitis B: protect yoru baby from Hep B with timely vaccination.
Immunisation for over 65s
Vaccinations play crucial role in protecting older adults from age-related health risks.
- Influenza: annual flu vaccines reduce the risk of severe illness.
- Shingles: protects against painful and potentially long-lasting shingles infections.
Additional public information
Vaccine programmes public information
General professional information
- Green Book
- Vaccination of individuals with uncertain or incomplete immunisation status
- PHA immunisation resources for health professionals
- Childhood immunisation programme: full details
- Guidance on vaccine handling and storage in Primary Care (including maintenance of the Vaccine Cold Chain)
- Translated immunisation invitation letters
Childhood immunisation
Immunisations for infants (aged under 1 year) and children (aged 1–2 years)
- Includes: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B, Hib, MMR, Men B, Men C, pneumococcal, rotavirus, BCG, influenza
- Resources: Childhood immunisation programme
Pre-school immunisations (aged 2–4 years)
- Includes: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, MMR
Immunisations for 12–13 year olds
- Includes: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, MenACWY, MMR, HPV
- Resources: Factsheet on MenACWY immunisation for teenagers
- Factsheet on HPV vaccine for children in Year 9 and 10
- HPV vaccine training slides 2019 15_8_19.pptx
Specific vaccine information
Meningococcal vaccines (MenACWY and Men B)
- Resources for MenACWY: Factsheet on MenACWY immunisation for teenagers
- Resources for Men B: Meningitis B immunisation
Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Includes: Infants, pre-school aged children and pregnant women
- Resources: Pertussis (whooping cough) immunisation
Rotavirus
- Resources: Factsheet on rotavirus immunisation
Targeted programmes
BCG (tuberculosis)
Hepatitis B
- Includes: Universal hepatitis B programme and hepatitis B vaccine for at risk babies
- Resources: Clinical guidelines on hepatitis B
Influenza (flu)
- Includes: Children, adults, pregnant women and healthcare workers
- Resources: Flu resources for professionals
HPV vaccine
- Includes: Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM)
Pregnant women
- Includes: Flu, pertussis, MMR, hepatitis B and syphilis advice
Shingles
- Resources: Factsheet on shingles vaccination
Splenectomy
- Includes: MenACWY, pneumococcal, flu
- Resources: Factsheet on splenectomy
Travel vaccines (National Travel and Health Network, Travax)
- NATHNAC support for those providing health information to people going travelling
- TRAVAX travel health information
World immunisation week 2024
PHA launch competition to mark World Immunisation Week 2024
To mark this year’s World Immunisation Week the Public Health Agency (PHA) has launched a digital creator and poster competition.
Year 10 pupils up to college/university student level
- Competition brief can be viewed here - Digital Content Creator Competition - Year 10 to College/University level students
Closing date for submission for the digital creator competition is Friday 31 May 2024.
First prize for MMR video £200 and second prize £100 (love to shop vouchers).
First prize for HPV video £200 and Second prize £100 (love to shop vouchers).
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Poster competition for P5 to year 9 children
- Competition brief can be viewed here - poster
Poster competition for P1 to P4 children
- Competition brief can be viewed here - poster
Closing date for submission for the poster competition is Friday 10 May 2024.
First and second prizes will be awarded to both age groups in the poster competition - First prize art set and £20 love to shop voucher, second prize art set.