The Department of Health is reminding everyone who is eligible
that it's not too late to get your winter flu vaccination.
From today (15 January 2025) the influenza vaccination programme
will also offer free vaccinations to anyone aged 50-64 years of
age by 31 March 2025.
Health Minister said: “The health
service is still being impacted by a severe flu season and
increasing uptake amongst all eligible groups will help to
alleviate the pressure on our staff and ensure we can treat those
who are sickest, in addition to helping to protect
individuals.
"I would again urge all who are eligible to take up the
offer of vaccination as soon as possible, particularly those aged
65 years or older and those in a clinical at risk
group.”
Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Michael McBride said:
“Vaccination remains the best form of defence against severe
illness from influenza for those in clinical risk groups, and
those who are at highest risk of more severe illness and
hospitalisation. Protection of these groups remains the priority
for the programme.
“If you are in one of the higher risk groups and have not yet had
your vaccine, please arrange to get vaccinated as soon as
possible to protect yourself.”
Rachel Spiers, Immunisation and Vaccination Programme Manager at
the PHA, said: “Vaccination lowers your chances of having serious
complications or dying from winter viruses. This is especially
true for people who are at high risk of complications. If you are
eligible you can get vaccinated through participating GP
practices, community pharmacy, or HSC Trust vaccination clinics.
The sooner you do this, the sooner you will help protect
yourself.”
Gerard Greene, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI said:
“With the expansion of this service to include those in the 50-64
age bracket, community pharmacy teams continue to play an
important role in vaccinating the public. I would invite those
eligible to contact their local participating pharmacy and get
the flu vaccine.
“By doing so they will protect themselves, those around them and
help to reduce pressures across the health service.”
The influenza vaccination is available via community pharmacies
and HSC Trust vaccination clinics and GPs. Patients should check
with their own practices if they are offering the service.
A list of HSC Trust vaccination clinics and participating
community pharmacies is available on the NI Direct website at:
https://vaccinations.covid-19.hscni.net/location-search
Notes to Editors:
- Those eligible for HSC influenza vaccination programme
are:
• All adults aged 50 or over on 31 March 2025
• Persons aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group,
as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book influenza chapter
(Green Book).
• Pregnant women.
• Those in long-stay residential care homes.
• All health and social care workers.
• All preschool children aged two to four years on 1 September
2024.
• All primary and secondary school children (up to and
including year 12).
• Carers.
• Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals.
• High risk poultry and avian animal health workers.
