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

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people who fall into an ‘at risk’ group to take up the offer of the winter vaccinations. All individuals in clinical risk groups who are aged from six months to 65 years, as well as those aged 65 years and older, are advised to receive the seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines. If you are ‘at risk’, either due to older age, a health condition, medical treatment or pregnancy, you are at increased chance of becoming seriously unwell if you contract flu or COVID-19. These viruses tend to circulate at higher levels during the winter months. Vaccines are