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

Vaccine type	Information for healthcare professionals
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
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	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	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
MenACWY	Factsheet on MenACWY immunisation for teenagers
Men B	Meningitis B immunisation
Pertussis (whooping cough) Includes: Infants, pre-school aged children and pregnant women	Pertussis (whooping cough) immunisation
Rotavirus	Factsheet on rotavirus immunisation

Targeted programmes	Information for healthcare professionals
BCG (tuberculosis)
Hepatitis B Includes: Universal hepatitis B programme and hepatitis B vaccine for at risk babies	Clinical guidelines on hepatitis B
Influenza (flu) Includes: Children, adults, pregnant women and healthcare workers	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	Factsheet on shingles vaccination
Splenectomy Includes: MenACWY, pneumococcal, flu	Factsheet on splenectomy
Travel vaccines (National Travel and Health Network, Travax)	NATHNAC support for those providing health information to people going travelling Travel health information from TRAVAX

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.

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