Winter vaccination public drive launched

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The Public Health Agency (PHA) has launched a mass media public information campaign and pharmacy-focused awareness programme to encourage uptake of winter vaccines across eligible groups. The winter vaccination programme, which includes the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine, is under way across Northern Ireland, and getting both vaccines can help protect the public and our health service over the coming winter.

The vaccines help to prolong protection already received from initial COVID-19 vaccinations, while the flu vaccine is needed every year as the antibodies that protect against flu decline over time, and flu strains change from year to year.

The ‘Boost your flu and COVID-19 protection’ campaign is a mass media advertising programme emphasising the importance of winter vaccines. The campaign’s key messages highlight that vaccinations are our best protection against dangerous viruses like flu and COVID-19. The campaign emphasises that vaccination is strongly recommended for those in eligible groups to boost their immunity and includes a focus on pregnant women, those with underlying health conditions and people aged 50 or over.

The mass media campaign will be supported by the ‘Living Well winter vaccines’ campaign. Living Well is provided in over 500 community pharmacies across Northern Ireland and offers information and advice on public health issues. It is delivered in partnership between the PHA, Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), and the Department of Health (DoH). This November, pharmacies will be encouraging all those eligible for the flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster to make themselves aware of the winter vaccine arrangements.

Rachel Spiers, Immunisation and Vaccination Programme Manager at the PHA, said: “With the double threat this winter of flu and COVID-19, it is more important than ever that those who fall into an eligible group take up the offer of getting both vaccines. You can get both at the same time, as it is safe and effective, and maximises your protection. The launch of the mass media advertising along with the Living Well campaign in local pharmacies will get the message out to more people and play an important role in letting people know if they are eligible and where they can get vaccinated.”

The majority of vaccines will be delivered via GPs, community pharmacies and trust’s and each will have their own arrangements for managing vaccine appointments.

In addition, parents of children in Primary 1 to Year 12 should look out for the flu consent forms coming home in schoolbags, and sign and return them.

Brian Brolly from Grahame Pharmacy in Lambeg said: “We are delighted to be one of the many pharmacies across Northern Ireland participating in the Living Well winter vaccines campaign and offering vaccination to eligible groups in our own community. Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases as they teach our immune system how to recognise and fight viruses. If your eligible call in and book an appointment for your vaccines, don’t delay.”

Dr Gerry Meenan, a GP from Whitehouse Medical Practice, Newtownabbey said: “The majority of our patients have welcomed the opportunity to have their flu and COVID booster vaccines in the practice.  They are aware of the benefits of the vaccines in maintaining their health in the months ahead.  I would encourage everyone who is eligible who have not yet had both vaccines to arrange to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and their families”

Rachel Spiers concluded: “Being vaccinated against both viruses will not only help to protect you and those around you from flu and COVID-19, but will help protect everyone from a potentially devastating double threat this winter which could also impact on our health service. Most people will be offered the flu jab and COVID-19 booster vaccine at the same appointment, I would like to reassure people that it is safe and effective to receive them in this way and would urge everyone who falls into an eligible group to get ready for winter by taking up the offer of free vaccination when available.”

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.

COVID-19 first, second and booster doses are still available to those who have not yet taken up the offer of vaccination for whatever reason.

For further information see www.nidirect.gov.uk/wintervaccines