One million winter vaccines delivered in Northern Ireland

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One million winter vaccines – over 500,000 each of the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine – have been delivered so far this season. The Public Health Agency (PHA) has thanked those who have chosen to get vaccinated, but warned that these respiratory illnesses still pose a risk and is urging anyone who is eligible but has not yet been vaccinated to make arrangements to do so, as it’s not too late.

Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “This is a really important milestone for the programme and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has received a vaccination so far this winter. In doing so, they have taken a positive step in helping to protect their own health and that of their friends and family, as vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases as they teach our immune system how to recognise and fight viruses.

“I would also like to thank all the healthcare staff involved in delivering these vaccines across the various available settings – without their efforts and ongoing commitment to the programme, we wouldn’t have been able to do this, and still they continue to offer the vaccines for those who are eligible, helping to keep our community safe.”

The success of the programme has seen over 500,000 COVID-19 vaccines and over 500,000 flu vaccines delivered across all eligible groups. Of this, in the over-64 age group 84% uptake was achieved in flu vaccine, higher than the previously recorded uptake in 2020/2021. In the 50-64 age group 50.4% uptake was achieved in the flu vaccine, representing a 10% increase on the previous highest recorded uptake in 2021/2022.

This year the COVID-19 and flu vaccination programme has been delivered via GPs, pharmacies and trusts, ensuring that the vaccine is widely accessible to eligible groups.

Dr McClean continued: “The vaccine offer is still continuing and I would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone in any of the eligible groups who is not yet vaccinated to get their winter vaccines now. With the high levels of COVID-19 and flu that we have seen in recent weeks, it is still very important to get vaccinated. I would also encourage the parents of pre-school and school-aged children to get them vaccinated against flu.

“Evidence shows that the flu vaccine for children can provide direct protection to them and will also reduce the amount of flu circulating, thus providing indirect protection for older people and individuals with underlying health conditions.

“Getting flu and other viral infections can increase the risk of invasive Group A Strep (iGAS) infection in the following weeks. The flu vaccine reduces the risk of having flu and group A Strep infections at the same time, therefore it reduces the chance of developing iGAS. The PHA strongly recommends children who are eligible get a flu vaccine – it’s the best way to protect them from serious illness. The flu vaccine for children has an excellent safety record and has been given to millions of children in the UK and worldwide.”

Pre-school children aged two years and over and children in primaries 1 to 7 and those in year 8 to 12 who missed getting the vaccine in school can contact their GP to enquire about getting the flu vaccine.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Michael McBride said: “It’s very encouraging to have reached this milestone, so thank you to those who have already come forward. For those who are eligible but haven’t yet taken up the offer of vaccination, then it’s not too late. Getting vaccinated remains the most important thing you can do to reduce your chances of serious illness. It will help protect family and friends and those at greater risk, and also help ease some of the pressures on our health service during what is a particularly challenging period.

“Finally, I am very aware of the hard work involved in delivering our vaccination programmes and would like to acknowledge and thank all the GP practices, community pharmacies, Trust teams and colleagues in the Public Health Agency for your ongoing efforts.”

Eligible groups for flu vaccine in 2022 to 2023 are:

  • Those aged 50 years and over (by 31 March 2023)
  • Those aged 6 months to 2 years, and 16 to 49 years in clinical risk groups
  • Pregnant women
  • All preschool children aged 2 or over on 1 September 2022
  • All primary and secondary (up to year 12) school children
  • Those in long-stay residential care homes
  • Carers
  • Household contact of immunosuppressed individuals
  • Frontline health and social care workers.
     

Eligible groups for COVID-19 vaccine in 2022 to 2023 are:

  • All adults aged 50 and over (by 31 March 2023)
  • Those aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group
  • Pregnant women
  • Residents in a care home for older adults, and staff working in care homes for older adults
  • Those aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
  • Those aged 16 to 49 years who are carers
  • Frontline health and social care workers.
     

Most people will be offered the flu jab and COVID-19 booster vaccine at the same appointment if they are eligible. It is safe and effective to receive them in this way.

For further information on the winter vaccines see www.nidirect.gov.uk/wintervaccines