The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all eligible people whose health could be seriously affected by flu to get the free flu vaccine. GPs across Northern Ireland are offering flu vaccination to everyone over 65, pregnant women, and people under 65 with underlying health conditions. Last year, seasonal flu activity was the highest seen since the 2009 pandemic, with 119 cases of flu in intensive care/ high dependency units (ICU/HDU) – more than twice as many as the previous year – and a total of 22 deaths in ICU/ HDU in which a diagnosis of influenza was confirmed. This year sees two new and

The latest sexual health figures released today by the Public Health Agency (PHA) show an increase in cases of gonorrhoea, herpes and chlamydia, while numbers diagnosed with syphilis and genital warts are down. The ‘Sexually Transmitted Infection surveillance in Northern Ireland 2018: An analysis of data for the calendar year 2017’ report shows that there was a 1% overall increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed through Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) clinics compared with 2016. The report shows: 5,726 new STI diagnoses were made in 2017, compared with 2016 (5,719); New

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is today marking World Mental Health Day (10 October) by highlighting some of the varied initiatives it has supported which are being undertaken by numerous groups and organisations to promote the importance of talking about mental health, breaking down stigma and encouraging people to seek support by speaking to friends, family and local services. The PHA is particularly focusing on projects that are addressing the issue by developing capacity from within the targeted communities. The projects also have the ability to have an impact on raising awareness of

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging women to be aware that lumps aren’t the only sign of breast cancer to look out for. The call comes at the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as the PHA highlights the less well-known signs of breast cancer by partnering with Menarys, who will be hosting a unique set of mannequins within a number of their stores’ lingerie departments. The lifelike mannequins depict some lesser-known signs of breast cancer to raise awareness and encourage women to keep an eye out for them. Dr Louise Herron, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said: “While breast

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people aged 70 and 78 to take up the invitation to get the shingles vaccine. The vaccine will help protect against this common and painful disease and its complications. Each year in Northern Ireland around 1,000 people in their seventies will get shingles. The shingles vaccine will be offered routinely to people who are aged 70 years on 1 September 2018 (born between 2 September 1947 and 1 September 1948 inclusive); and as part of a catch-up programme for those aged 78 on 1 September (born between 2 September 1939 and 1 September 1940 inclusive)