Flu vaccine to be extended to everyone aged 50 to 64 years

Health Protection
flu vaccine

From Wednesday 15 January 2025, the seasonal flu vaccination will  also be available for everyone aged 50 to 64 years of age. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone who is eligible for vaccination to take up the offer when invited, particularly those at greatest risk as flu continues to circulate at high levels.

Those who are at greatest risk and are currently eligible to get the flu vaccine are advised to make arrangements now to get it ahead of an anticipated increase in demand when availability is expanded on 15 January.

Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the Public Health Agency (PHA), said: “We launched this year’s winter vaccination programme back in October 2024, giving people most ‘at risk’ the opportunity to get vaccinated before flu started to circulate. In recent weeks the number of people who have flu has grown quickly, which is why it is so important for those most at risk to take up the offer of vaccination now if they haven’t already done so.

“Vaccination lowers your chances of having serious complications or dying from winter viruses. This is especially true for people who are at high risk of complications. If you are in an ‘at-risk’ group, you can get vaccinated by your GP practice, a participating community pharmacy, or HSC Trust vaccination clinic. The sooner you do this, the sooner you will help protect yourself.”

Not everyone who is currently eligible for flu vaccination has come forward, so from Wednesday 15 January 2025 the flu vaccination offer will be extended to those aged 50 to 64 years, helping to protect them and those around them.

If you are aged 50 to 64, you will be able to get vaccinated by your GP practice, a participating community pharmacy or HSC Trust vaccination clinic. Further details on the flu vaccination programme can be found at www.nidirect.gov.uk/flu-vaccine

Dr McClean continued: “If you are in one of the groups currently eligible for the winter vaccines, don’t delay in getting vaccinated, as it could mean the difference between life or death this winter.

“Every year in Northern Ireland, many people are hospitalised and some people die from respiratory infections such as seasonal flu, COVID-19 and RSV. The most vulnerable will experience the greatest impact.

“Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to prevent many infectious diseases and save lives. I would urge everyone who is eligible to take up the offer of free vaccination when invited.”

Those eligible for flu vaccine in 2024/25 are:

  • All adults aged 65 years and over;
  • persons aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book influenza chapter (Green Book);
  • pregnant women;
  • residents and staff in a care home for older adults;
  • all health and social care workers.
  • all preschool children aged two to four years on 1 September 2024;
  • all primary and secondary school children (up to and including year 12);
  • carers;
  • close contacts of immunocompromised individuals;
  • high risk poultry and avian animal health workers;
  • persons aged 50 to 64 years (from Wednesday 15 20 January 2025).

In addition to eligible people getting vaccinated, everyone has a part to play in staying well this winter:

The following steps can help you stay well this winter;

  • ‘Catch it. Bin it. Kill it’ – carry tissues and use them to catch coughs or sneezes, then bin the tissue.
  • Wash your hands – regularly wash your hands throughout the day and hands should always be washed before eating or drinking and after using the toilet.
  • Rest up – know when to stay home to stop the spread. If you have a high temperature stay home until you feel better or if you have diarrhoea and/or vomiting, you should stay home for at least 48 hours after the last episode.
  • Speak to your pharmacist about over-the-counter remedies and remember antibiotics don't work on viruses.
  • Winter vaccines – if eligible get your COVID-19 booster, flu vaccine and RSV vaccine.

Further details on the winter vaccination programme can be found at www.nidirect.gov.uk/flu-vaccine and www.nidirect.gov.uk/covidvaccine