First-time university students are being encouraged by the Public Health Agency (PHA) to get the meningococcal vaccine if they haven’t already done so. The new vaccine, which became available in August, protects against four different causes of meningitis and septicaemia – meningococcal A, C, W and Y diseases. The immunisation programme is asking everyone born between 2 July 1996 and 1 July 1997, and first time university students up to the age of 25, to get the MenACWY vaccine if they didn’t get it before starting university.

Belfast International Airport has become the latest venue to sign up to the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme. The initiative, which aims to help breastfeeding mums feel more comfortable about feeding their baby in public, now has more than 400 businesses, council facilities and local attractions signed up as members.

As Christmas approaches, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people to look after their mental health and that of their loved ones over the holiday period. Christmas is traditionally viewed as a time of celebration and happiness. Unfortunately for some Christmas can also be stressful and lonely. Madeline Heaney, Regional Lead for Mental and Emotional Wellbeing at the PHA, said: “Many of us will be looking forward to the Christmas holidays so that we can spend time with our family and friends.

A reminder has been issued by the Public Health Agency (PHA) for all people in “at risk” groups to get the winter flu vaccine, with a warning about the deadly dangers associated with catching the flu. The call comes as figures show that excess winter deaths last year were the highest since 2009/10, when the swine flu pandemic was at its peak.

This Homelessness Awareness Week (28 November – 5 December) the Public Health Agency (PHA) has teamed up with Council for the Homeless in Northern Ireland (CHNI) to provide ‘Keep Warm’ packs to rough sleepers. The packs, which are made up of items including waterproof coats, fleece jackets, woollen hats, gloves, thermal underwear, socks and rucksacks, are being given out as part of a scheme to help protect people who are sleeping rough from the effects of cold weather.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has published its ‘HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland 2015’ report today ahead of World AIDS Day (1 December).

The Public Health Agency (PHA) would like to thank all those who took the time and effort to respond to the 12 week public consultation on proposals for the future of the Lifeline service, and has set out the next steps in its review of the current service model. Lifeline is Northern Ireland’s crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing distress or despair.