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Consultation on the draft Public Health Agency (PHA) Corporate Plan 2025-2030 is now live.

The draft Corporate Plan, initial draft equality screening, initial draft rural screening and the consultation questionnaire are all available via the PHA website - Current consultations section. The consultation will end on 28 February 2025.

Your best shot at avoiding unnecessary illness this winter

Getting your yearly flu and COVID-19 vaccines lowers your chances of having serious complications or dying from these diseases. This is especially true for people who are at high risk of complications.

The message from the Public Health Agency (PHA) is clear –if you are eligible, get vaccinated now.

Darragh O'Rourke, Teacher, Dolores Miller, Principal, Tony Gray, Teacher and pupils from St Brigid’s Primary School with Dr Hannah McCourt, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the Public Health Agency.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at St Brigid’s Primary School

St Brigid’s Primary School in Downpatrick got into the festive spirit by taking part in the Daily Mile Santa Run, complete with Christmas jumpers.

All schools in Northern Ireland were encouraged to take part in The Daily Mile Santa Run on Friday 6^th December. The Daily Mile can be done alongside the Active School Travel (AST) programme which is funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Department for Infrastructure, and delivered by Sustrans.

Picture of Paula Bittles, People and Purpose Executive at Belfast City Airport with local mum Janelle Clegg, baby Imogen and Dr Hannah McCourt, Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the Public Health Agency.

PHA breastfeeding scheme launches at Belfast City Airport

Belfast City Airport has become the latest organisation to join the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme – a programme that aims to increase the number of premises which actively show support to breastfeeding mums.

This new membership represents a huge support network to breastfeeding mums visiting the airport and becomes part of over 900 businesses, local government facilities and community organisations who have joined Breastfeeding Welcome Here.

Don’t let your protection fade this winter

Winter is coming and so are the respiratory illnesses that circulate during this time of the year so the message from the Public Health Agency (PHA) is don’t let your protection fade and get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines if eligible.

The life-saving vaccination programme, which will help protect the community against deadly viruses ahead of winter, commences on Monday 7 October. It will see flu and COVID-19 vaccines offered to over a million people in Northern Ireland before the end of the year, starting with those in care homes, who are some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

Latest news

“I now have the confidence to make healthier choices for my family” – the HENRY programme launches in Northern Ireland
Friday, 13 December 2024 - News
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has officially launched the early years obesity prevention programme, HENRY, to help support families to...
Safer sleeping - Reducing the risk of sudden infant death
Thursday, 12 December 2024 - Publication
This updated version of the poster provides information on the risks of sudden infant death. The leaflet has also been updated to highlight...

What we do

The Public Health Agency (PHA) established in April 2009 as part of the reforms to Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland is responsible for providing health protection and health and social wellbeing improvement to every member of every community in Northern Ireland.

We are committed to safeguarding public health, promoting public health and social welfare, and reducing inequalities in health and social wellbeing. Read more about what we do.

The PHA operates under a framework of three functional areas Public Health, Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals, and Operations.

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