Make time to get vaccinated this new year

winter vaccines

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone to take steps to reduce the spread of flu, COVID-19 and RSV – particularly by getting vaccinated if you are eligible. This reduces the risk of illness for you and those around you, and can also help with wider pressures on our health service this new year. The PHA is also reassuring everyone who is eligible for vaccination under the free HSC programme that sufficient stock of vaccines is available, so they shouldn’t delay in getting them.

Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the Public Health Agency (PHA), said: “Every year we expect an increase in respiratory infections in winter time, which is why it is so important for eligible people to take up the offer of vaccination. 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.

“The PHA has procured supplies of vaccine for those eligible under the free HSC programme, and there is adequate stock available. If you are in an eligible 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 and those around you.

“Since the beginning of December, the number of people who have got flu has grown quickly. Influenza did not circulate at significant levels for nearly three years during the COVID-19 pandemic but it returned to its annual seasonal pattern in autumn 2022. This year, flu circulation is behaving similarly to what was seen in the 2022/23 winter, with an early and sharp start to the season.

“RSV, a virus which can cause bronchiolitis in newborn children and severe illness in older people, as well as milder illness in others, continues to circulate in the community. Vaccination is offered to pregnant women and older adults.

“Unlike the annual pattern of influenza and RSV infections, COVID-19 goes through more than one wave each year, and is now at a relatively low level after the wave during the summer. The number of cases of COVID-19 is expected to start growing again, following the pattern that has repeated over recent years.

“If you are in one of the eligible groups 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.

“In addition, if you do develop symptoms of a respiratory illness, take some simple steps to reduce the risk of spread such as catching coughs and sneezes in tissues and disposing of them, and washing your hands regularly.”

Eligible groups for COVID-19 autumn booster 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 COVID-19 chapter (Green Book);
  • pregnant women;
  • residents and staff in a care home for older adults;
  • frontline health and social care workers.

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.

Eligible groups for RSV vaccination:

  • People aged 75, as well as those already aged 76 to 79 years as a catch-up cohort
  • Pregnant women from 28 weeks’ gestation,

In addition to eligible people getting vaccinated, everyone has a part to play in staying 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/articles/flu-vaccine, www.nidirect.gov.uk/covidvaccin and www.pha.site/RSVvaccine