The COVID-19 spring booster vaccination programme got underway last month in nursing homes, but with the majority of GP practices having just begun vaccinating their eligible patients; the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging those eligible to look out for their invite. GPs will be vaccinating eligible patients aged 75 years or older, so it’s important to make yourself aware of your own GP practices arrangements. As well as people aged 75 years and over, the spring booster will be offered to residents in care homes for older people, and those aged 12 years and over with weakened immune systems

The Public Health Agency has today launched a new public awareness campaign to prepare people for the introduction of ‘Dáithí’s Law’ from next spring 2023. The Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, to be known as ‘Dáithí’s Law’, received Royal Assent in March 2022. Named after 5-year-old organ donation campaigner Dáithí Mac Gabhann, who has been awaiting the gift of a new heart for nearly four years, the new law will change the system of organ donation in Northern Ireland to an opt-out system. This means, in the event that organ donation is a possibility after

During Mental Health Awareness Week (9-15 May) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is raising awareness of ways to tackle loneliness and the impact it can have mental and emotional wellbeing. A range of support services are available and there are also steps people can take to support themselves and others who are feeling lonely. Fiona Teague, Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing lead at the PHA, said: “While loneliness is a feeling we can all relate to, sometimes admitting we feel lonely is much harder. Many of us experienced feelings of loneliness and the isolating effect of the COVID-19

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is continuing to work with counterparts in other jurisdictions as part of a UK-wide investigation being led by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) into cases of hepatitis (liver inflammation) in children in which the common viruses which usually cause hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, C, D or E) have not been detected. The agency is working with HSC partners to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, so that any children who may be affected can be identified early and the appropriate tests carried out. The number of confirmed and possible cases in Northern

This Sun Awareness Week (2-8 May), the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are sharing top tips on getting the best from your sunscreen and reducing your risk of skin cancer. The Solar UV Index shows how much solar radiation is reaching us from the sun and how careful we need to be. UV levels vary with the seasons and time of day, but when the UV index is three or above we need to protect our skin and eyes, so it’s important to know what the UV index is going to be throughout the day. Denise McCallion, Health Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “It’s that time of

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is continuing to work with counterparts in other jurisdictions as part of a UK-wide investigation being led by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) into cases of hepatitis (liver inflammation) in children in which the common viruses which usually cause hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, C, D or E) have not been detected. The agency is working with HSC partners to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, so that any children who may be affected can be identified early and the appropriate tests carried out. The number of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland is nine

In the last two years we have learnt that vaccines really are the first line of defence against killer disease and this year during World Immunisation Week we are reminding everyone that we cannot become complacent. So whether it’s the COVID-19 vaccine or vaccination as part of a seasonal programme or the childhood immunisation programme, getting vaccinated is the single most important thing we can do to protect our health. Rachel Spiers, Immunisation and Vaccination Programme Manager at the PHA said: “Many childhood diseases that were common in the UK prior to the introduction of vaccination

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is continuing to work with counterparts in other jurisdictions as part of a UK-wide investigation being led by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) into cases of hepatitis (liver inflammation) in children in which the common viruses which usually cause hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, C, D or E) have not been detected. The number of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland is five. There have been over 100 confirmed cases across the UK to date. The agency is working with HSC partners to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, so that any children who may be