The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone who is eligible for flu vaccination to take up the offer without delay as it remains the best defence against seasonal flu. To date nearly 500,000 vaccines have been administered this season in Northern Ireland. However, the latest respiratory report shows that flu activity has increased across all groups and settings that are monitored. Confirmed cases rose from 988 to 1,227 while hospital admissions went from 264 to 346, highlighting how important it is for people who are eligible to get the free vaccine, particularly ahead of festive

Thursday 11 December is Organ Donation Discussion Day, when the Public Health Agency is encouraging everyone to consider their decision around organ and tissue donation, and to share this decision with their loved ones. As Christmas approaches, it is often a time to catch up with friends and family and our minds turn to gifts, but there’s one very special gift that we could all consider – the ‘gift of life’ through organ donation. Each year, hundreds of lives across the UK are saved and transformed by organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Organ donation is a most precious gift, and

A new campaign has been launched in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland, encouraging people to look after their mental health and wellbeing. Running throughout December and January, the campaign encourages people to ask themselves and others a simple but powerful question: “How are you feeling?”. The campaign encourages people to check in with themselves and others, turning a common greeting into a meaningful opportunity to support mental health. The campaign is running in over 500 community pharmacies as part of the Living Well service, with pharmacy teams supporting people to look

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is advising people to plan ahead and take steps to reduce the risk of drink ruining Christmas celebrations. Stephanie Hanlon, Joint Regional Lead for Substance Use at the PHA, said: “All too often we see families affected by their loved ones over-indulging in alcohol, and that can be a particular problem at this time of year when drink can end up becoming a disproportionate part of festive celebrations, often with negative or unintended consequences. “Many people might use alcohol to relax, but it can have both immediate and long-term impacts on our lives. “In