Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are offering advice and support on a wide range of winter illnesses to help us stay well during the colder months. The Living Well initiative is offered in over 500 pharmacies across Northern Ireland and provides information and advice on public health issues. It is delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), Community Pharmacy NI (CPNI), and the Department of Health (DoH). The latest Living Well campaign highlights actions you can take to protect your health over the winter months and the support available to you through your

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has issued advice for people to look after themselves and others following the yellow warning for snow and ice this week. Dr Anna Cullen, Public Health Doctor at the PHA, said: “As temperatures drop we know winter is fast approaching and with snow and ice predicted for this week, this is a good opportunity to plan ahead to try to reduce its impact. “For some people the onset of the cold weather can bring particular hazards. Vulnerable and older people can find it difficult to get out to the shops or to keep their house adequately heated, putting them at risk.

This year during World AMR Awareness Week (18-24 November) the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Public Health Agency (PHA) are reminding the public of the importance of working together to keep antibiotics working. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) means antibiotics are becoming less effective at treating the bacterial infections they are needed for. We use more antibiotics than we need to and this overuse is making bacteria more resistant. If we continue in this way, we could face a return to the days before antibiotics were

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. Rachel Spiers, Immunisation and Vaccination Programme Manager at the PHA, said: “If you are at risk and in one of the eligible groups for the winter vaccines, don’t delay in getting vaccinated, as it could mean the difference between life or death this winter. “Every winter in Northern Ireland