The Health Minister has underlined the importance of flu
vaccination to protect individuals and support the health
service.
Starting from Wednesday 15 January 2025, free influenza
vaccination will be made available via community pharmacies and
HSC Trust vaccination clinics to anyone aged 50 to 64 years of
age. Vaccination will also be available through GPs. In the
meantime, those aged 65 and over and those in clinical risk
groups can continue to come forward for vaccination.
Health Minister said: “The system is
working at pace to put arrangements in place for the extension of
the free vaccination programme to include the 50 to 64 year old
group, following my approval on Tuesday.
“The current flu vaccination programme continues to
provide protection to those aged 65 and over and those in
clinical risk groups, and those who are at highest risk of more
severe illness and hospitalisation. It also continues to provide
free vaccination to children, pregnant women, carers, and
healthcare workers.
“Protection of these groups remains the priority for the
programme and I would particularly encourage those most at risk
of serious illness, and health and social care staff, to avail of
a flu vaccination as soon as possible.
“The high number of people with influenza, many of whom
are very unwell, is contributing to the pressures currently being
seen in our hospitals. If you are eligible for a free flu
vaccination, please come forward as soon as you can. For those
aged 50 to 64 years of age, this will begin from Wednesday 15
January.
“I would like to thank Community Pharmacists, GPs and
Trust staff who continue to work hard to deliver this hugely
important vaccination service at a time of significant pressure
right across the health service and I would ask the public to be
patient whilst arrangements are finalised for the extended
programme for 50 to 64 year olds.”
A list of HSC Trust vaccination clinics and participating
community pharmacies can be found by checking the NI Direct
website at: https://vaccinations.covid-19.hscni.net/location-search
Individual GP practices may still offer the vaccination to all
eligible groups. Patients should check with their own practices
if they are offering the service.
Complex clinical and technical approvals and logistical
arrangements are required for extensions to the flu vaccination
programme. Please note that free vaccinations for 50 to 64 year
olds will commence Wednesday 15 January.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Michael McBride said:
“Vaccination remains the best form of defence against severe
illness, hospitalisation and death as a result of influenza.
“The seasonal influenza vaccination programme is a critical
element in helping to protect the health of our population and
reducing the pressures on our health and care services during the
winter months. If you are in one of the higher risk groups
and have not had your vaccine, please arrange to get vaccinated
as soon as possible to protect yourself.
"We are currently witnessing the impact of severe influenza
season and increasing uptake rate amongst the priority groups,
including health and social care staff, will help to reduce GP
consultations, unplanned hospital admissions, pressure on
Emergency Departments and staff absences due to sickness. We need
your help to protect you, and to help the health service treat
those who are sickest.”
Note to editors:
- Those eligible for influenza vaccine are:
• All adults aged 50 to 64 years on 31 March 2025 (available
from 15 January).
• All adults aged over 65,
• 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.
- The benefits of the flu jab in preventing illness and serious
associated complications far outweigh any currently known side
effects in the majority of patients. The most common side effects
of the winter vaccines are mild and get better within a week. You
can find out more about the vaccine at: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/flu-vaccine#toc-9
- If you intend visiting a health and social care facility but
are feeling unwell, please stay at home until you are feeling
better.
- If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection and have a
high temperature you should stay at home and avoid contact with
other people. Resting, drinking plenty of fluids and taking
paracetamol or ibuprofen will ease your symptoms and help you
recover. If you are concerned about your symptoms or they are
getting worse, contact your GP.
