Advice and Information
Mental health strategy - Public mental health
A public mental health approach is concerned with improving mental health and wellbeing and preventing mental illness. On this page you can find information about work underway to deliver the Public Mental Health Action Plan.
Preventing infection (hand hygiene & protecting others)
Good hand hygiene is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stop infections spreading. Find practical advice here on washing your hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and the everyday steps that help protect you and those around you.
Vaccine Management System (VMS)
The Public Health Agency (PHA) operates the Vaccination Management System (VMS), which serves as Northern Ireland’s system of record for six key vaccination programmes: Influenza (excluding vaccinations administered in schools), RSV, Shingles, Pertussis, COVID-19, MMR (adult vaccinations only).
Vaccinations for people at increased risk
Some people may be offered additional vaccinations because they have higher risk of getting an infection or becoming seriously ill.
Newborn screening
During the first few weeks after your baby is born, they will be offered a blood spot screening test and hearing screening test.
News
Make Stoptober your time to quit smoking for good
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging anyone who smokes to make this October the month they quit for good by joining Stoptober and accessing free support services available across Northern Ireland.
Public Health Agency and Translink mark Organ Donation Week with celebration of the Gift of Life
On Thursday (24 September), commuters at Belfast Grand Central Station witnessed something a little different as Translink hosted a Public Health Agency (PHA) event to mark Organ Donation Week 2026.
World Contraception Day – What Works For You?
Ahead of World Contraception Day (26 September) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people of the many free contraception options available and where to find them.
Stay strong, stay steady, stay independent: PHA highlights importance of falls prevention
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people across Northern Ireland to take simple steps to reduce their risk of falling and maintain their health, confidence and independence as part of Falls Prevention Week 2026.
Public urged to protect themselves as flu vaccination goes live
Over a million people are eligible for this year’s free flu vaccine, as the Public Health Agency (PHA) launches the vaccination programme with a call for people to help protect themselves and others this winter. Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “Flu is far worse than a...
This Organ Donation Week, leave your family certain: register and share your decision
Figures reveal missed transplant opportunities because families didn't know their loved one's decision. This Organ Donation Week (21-27 September), the Public Health Agency is urging everyone in Northern Ireland to record their organ donation decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, and to tell...
Urology Awareness Month: awareness could save a life
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is asking people to use Urology Awareness Month (September) as an opportunity to make themselves aware of signs and symptoms of cancers relating to the urinary and reproductive systems, including bladder, kidney, prostate and testicular cancers.
Get protection against potentially serious virus this winter
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone who is eligible for the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine to get it when invited. RSV is a common virus and highly infectious virus which affects the airways and lungs.
Minister Nesbitt launches ‘This is our health’ engagement programme
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt today launched a new large scale and innovative engagement programme designed to establish a clear, shared, and credible deal between Northern Ireland’s citizens and the health and social care system.
Northern Ireland Alcohol Awareness Week: Time to make better choices
With almost half of drinkers (46%) drinking most of their alcohol at home, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people to take a moment to think about what exactly they’re pouring and the impact it might be having on them.
Publications
If you are receiving chemotherapy or steroids, your immune system may be slightly weaker than usual. This may make it harder for your body to fight off infections. Make sure you are up to date with all the vaccines you are eligible for.
The 'Talking really helps' campaign evaluation provides post-campaign evaluation results based on the findings from a quantitative survey with a representative sample of the adult population.
Poster encouraging social care workers to protect themselves this winter by getting their free flu vaccine now.
Poster encouraging all health and social care workers to protect themselves this winter by getting their free flu vaccine now.
The COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to people aged 75 and over, residents in care homes for older people and anyone aged 6 months and over who is immunosuppressed to protect them ahead of winter.
These posters are for display in community pharmacies offering the COVID-19 vaccine or Flu vaccine.
They advise people to speak to the pharmacy team who can explain who can get the vaccines and the pharmacy vaccination times.
This revised leaflet for HSC staff highlights how important it is for staff to get their free flu vaccine this winter.
This poster gives details of the flu vaccines to be used with patients in different groups.
This leaflet explains why pregnant women should receive the flu vaccine and outlines how it also protects the unborn child.
Funding
Youth treatment - community based service for children and young people who are identified as having substance use issues, and their families in Northern Ireland [6013686]
The Business Services Organisation (BSO), Procurement and Logistic Service (PaLS), on behalf of the Public Health Agency (PHA), is conducting this Preliminary Market Engagement exercise to engage with
Workforce Development Training – Motivational Interviewing Courses [5913615]
The Procurement and Logistics Service (PaLS), on behalf of the Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland, has published the following Tender;
Workforce Development Training – Motivational
Needle Exchange Packs and Service [6010883]
The Procurement and Logistics Service (PaLS), on behalf of the Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland, has published the following Tender; Needle Exchange Packs and Service [6010883].
The
Bespoke Low Intensity, Evidence Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Programme for In-person Group and Online Group Delivery [5974641]
The Procurement and Logistics Service (PaLS), on behalf of the Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland, has published the following Tender;
Bespoke Low Intensity, Evidence Based Cognitive
Tender Opportunity for the CAWT PEACEPLUS Healthier Futures Project (HFP) [HSE 28147]
Tender details:
Tender No: HSE 28147
Contracting Authority: Health Service Executive (HSE)
Theme: Obesity & Physical Activity
Name: CAWT Healthier Futures Project
Closing Date: 15th June 2026 at 12:00
Tend
Skin cancer prevention programme grant
The Public Health Agency (PHA) wishes to invite proposals for the delivery of an 18-month Skin Cancer Prevention Grant Programme.
This grant programme is intended to support the delivery of an outcomes...
Tender for the provision of a shared reading service in the NI criminal justice setting [5450119]
The Public Health Agency (PHA) wishes to tender for the following service. This procurement is for services classified under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (the Regulations) as Social and Other
Preliminary market engagement - Therapeutic services for families affected by problematic parental substance use [5945533]
Preliminary Market Engagement - Therapeutic Services for Families Affected by Problematic Parental Substance Use
The Business Services Organisation (BSO), Procurement and Logistic Service (PaLS), on
Tender for Workforce Development Training [5313954]
Tender for Workforce Development Training [5313954]
The Procurement and Logistics Service (PaLS), on behalf of the Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland, has published the following Tender