Ahead of World Breastfeeding Week on Tuesday 1 August, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the importance of supporting breastfeeding mothers at every stage of their journey by showcasing the experience of breastfeeding mums and speaking to those who have supported them on their journey. Between 2010–2020 the rates of breastfeeding in NI at discharge rose from 45% to 50%, however there is a big drop off with only 21% receiving breastmilk at 6 months. Feedback indicates this is often because there is a lack of support, particularly when feeding outside the home, with 9 out of 10

The Public health Agency (PHA) is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 6 months to 4 years at higher risk of coronavirus, in line with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice. Children aged 6 months to 4-years-old in a clinical risk group are now being offered two infant doses of the COVID-19 vaccination, eight weeks apart. Rachel Spiers, Immunisation and Vaccination Programme Manager at the PHA, said: “Coronavirus is more serious in children with certain underlying health conditions, for these reasons they are being offered the COVID-19 vaccine. We would

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people who are eligible to avail of the mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) vaccinations at the Belfast Pride Festival on Saturday 29 July. A team of healthcare professionals from the PHA, vaccinators from the South Eastern Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust and sexual health staff from the Belfast HSC Trust will be in place from 12pm, with the main Pride parade scheduled to take place at around 1pm before returning to the Pride Village in Custom House Square at around 2.30pm. Dr Gillian Armstrong, Health Protection Consultant at the PHA, said: “We are

Concerned about hepatitis? Get tested for free on World Hepatitis Day Ahead of World Hepatitis Day (Friday 28 July), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding us that anyone can be at risk of hepatitis, as latest statistics show that there were 122 new cases of hepatitis B cases and 191 new cases of hepatitis C diagnosed here in 2022.* This Friday, a programme of events will be planned across Northern Ireland to raise awareness of hepatitis. Hepatology staff from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) have scheduled a number of outreach testing events at hostels across Northern

Many people will be getting ready to mark the Twelfth of July and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging anyone choosing to use alcohol throughout the celebrations to keep an eye on their drinking by making a sensible plan and sticking to it. Whether it is drinking at home, at a party, at an eleventh night bonfire, or at a parade, everyone is being reminded that alcohol carries serious risks both to safety and to health. Kevin Bailey, the PHA’s Regional Lead for Drugs and Alcohol said: “We understand that the Twelfth is a time to relax and let off some steam but we’d encourage people to do