• 6-in-1 vaccine available to newborns6-in-1 vaccine available to newborns

    All babies born on or after 1 August 2017 will be offered protection against hepatitis B as part of the universal childhood immunisation programme.

    This is in addition to continued protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

    The Hexavalent vaccine replaces the existing 5-in-1 vaccine that children routinely receive. It is already widely used with around 150 million doses having been given in 97 countries in Europe and across the world. 

  • 500 venues show support for breastfeeding mums500 venues show support for breastfeeding mums

    The Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme has reached the milestone of having 500 venues signed up to the initiative which aims to provide supportive environments for breastfeeding mums.

  • Help eliminate hepatitisHelp eliminate hepatitis

    On World Hepatitis Day (28 July) the Public Health Agency is supporting the World Hepatitis Alliance campaign message to eliminate hepatitis.

    In May 2016, the World Health Assembly endorsed the Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS) on viral hepatitis 2016–2021. This calls for the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 (reducing new infections by 90% and deaths by 65%). Hepatitis B and C are responsible for 96% of all hepatitis deaths.

  • PHA Annual report and accounts 2016-2017PHA Annual report and accounts 2016-2017

    The Public Health Agency Annual report 2016–2017 provides background information about the PHA, highlights the achievements during the 2016–2017 financial year and provides an overview of work undertaken in priority areas within each directorate of the organisation.

    The full financial accounts are included in this report as is information on members of the PHA board.

  • Figures show Take Home Naloxone is saving livesFigures show Take Home Naloxone is saving lives

    Figures published today by the Public Health Agency (PHA) have shown that in the five years since ‘Take Home Naloxone’ was introduced in Northern Ireland, the potentially life-saving medicine has been administered 112 times and has been successful in reversing an overdose on 98 occasions.

    Naloxone is a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. It can very quickly restore normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped as a result of overdosing with heroin or prescription opioid pain medications.

Choose to live better Be Cancer Aware Want 2 Stop Lifeline Helpline Organ Donation Northern Ireland Minding Your Head

The switchboard number for the PHA’s Headquarters at Linenhall Street, Belfast has changed to 0300 555 0114. Click here for more information.

Welcome

The Public Health Agency (PHA) was established in April 2009 as part of the reforms to Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland. We are the major regional organisation for health protection and health and social wellbeing improvement. Our role also commits us to addressing the causes and associated inequalities of preventable ill-health and lack of wellbeing. We are a multi-disciplinary, multi-professional body with a strong regional and local presence.

Directorates

In fulfilling our mandate to protect public health, improve public health and social wellbeing, and reduce inequalities in health and social wellbeing, the PHA works within an operational framework of three areas: Public Health, Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, and Operations. Our corporate and business plans reflect these arrangements and our purpose as an organisation.

Public Health

Nursing and Allied Health Professions

Operations

Latest

Make meningitis vaccine part of your university plans

Monday, 14 August 2017 - 7:30am - News

This week young people will be receiving their A-level results and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding those planning to go to university for the first time to get the meningococcal vaccine.

The MenACWY v...

Teenage immunisations for ages 14 to 18 (English and translations)

Friday, 11 August 2017 - Publication

This booklet explains about the routine immunisations that are offered to all young people before they leave school.

Immunisation for babies just after their first birthday (English and translations)

Friday, 11 August 2017 - Publication

This booklet provides the facts about the vaccines babies will receive just after their first birthday: the first MMR vaccine and the PCV and Hib/Men C booster vaccines.

Whooping Cough (Pertussis) immunisation - Leaflet

Friday, 11 August 2017 - Publication

This leaflet encourages uptake of the whooping cough vaccine for pregnant women. Cases of whooping cough are on the increase – by getting the vaccine while pregnant you can protect your baby