Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Surveillance in Northern Ireland 2024-25

A total of 593,308 influenza vaccinations were administered during the 2024/25 seasonal influenza vaccination programme which commenced on 07 October 2024 and ended on 31 March 2025.

COVID-19 Vaccination Surveillance in Northern Ireland, Autumn/Winter 2024/25

A total of 251,685 COVID-19 vaccinations were administered during the Autumn/Winter COVID-19 vaccination programme, which commenced on 07 October 2024 and ended on 28 February 2025. 

Legionellosis: Northern Ireland surveillance report 2014 to 2024

Legionnaires’ disease is a notifiable infectious disease and suspected cases are legally required to be reported to the Public Health Agency (PHA).

Legionnaires’ disease is a notifiable infectious disease and suspected cases are legally required to be reported to the Public Health Agency (PHA).

Public Health Agency health advice for travellers

Whether planning a family vacation or backpacking across Asia there are several things to consider to help protect your health when abroad. The Public Health Agency (PHA) has put together a handy guide of health advice to help protect you and your family’s health when travelling. Dr Patrick McAleavey, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “When preparing for a holiday most people remember to pack the sunscreen, which is really important, but there are other things we need to consider to help protect our health on holiday. “Knowing the health risks of the country you’re travelling

Art and healthcare put older people in the frame

A health and wellbeing festival for older people is helping to connect different generations in Northern Ireland through creative arts. The ‘Here and Now’ festival is co-funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Arts Care and is celebrating the creativity of older people from across Northern Ireland at a new exhibition. The ‘Right Here, Right Now’ exhibition, is open to the public at the Arts for All Gallery in Cityside Retail Park, Belfast and runs throughout the month of May. Jeff Scroggie, Regional Lead for Ageing Well at the PHA said: “The Here and Now health and wellbeing festival is a

PHA publishes youth vaping research

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has published new research – the ‘Behavioural insights into youth vaping in Northern Ireland’ report – which provides detailed information on the use of e-cigarettes and perceptions of vaping among young people, as well as insights into tobacco use, and will help inform the future design of targeted interventions and communications on vape use by young people. The research had access to the views and experiences of young people aged 11-18 years towards e-cigarette and tobacco use, and looked into their knowledge and perceptions of health risks. The findings give

Sun Awareness Week: Protect and check your skin

This Sun Awareness Week [12-18 May], the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are encouraging everyone to protect their skin from UV damage and also check it regularly for signs and symptoms of skin cancer. Frances Dowds, Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “It’s great to see and feel the sunshine during the spring and summer and we hope to see plenty of sunny weather over the coming months. “Sunlight helps provide our bodies with vitamin D, supports bone health, lowers blood pressure, helps prevent disease and promotes good mental health. However

Childhood immunisation schedule changes and translations

This flyer outlines the changes to the routine childhood immunisation schedule in Northern Ireland in 2025 and 2026 as recommended by the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

This flyer outlines the changes to the routine childhood immunisation schedule in Northern Ireland in 2025 and 2026 as recommended by the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Dying matters – let’s talk about it

This Dying Matters Awareness Week (5-11 May) the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Department of Health (DoH) are encouraging everyone to start conversations about their future care, dying, death and bereavement to help break down stigma. This year’s theme, ‘The Culture of Dying Matters’, delves into the diverse ways that communities discuss, navigate, and commemorate death and dying, while emphasising the shared emotions that connect us all in grief and loss. Sally Convery, Nurse Consultant for Palliative Care at the PHA, said: “There are many differences in the ways that cultures and faiths

World Hand Hygiene - wash your hands when on days out with the family

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone ahead of World Hand Hygiene Day on the 5 May of the need to wash their hands thoroughly and regularly on days out with the family. Caroline McGeary, Infection Prevention and Control Lead Nurse at the PHA, said: “The spring and summer months are filled with days out with the family, but we want people to have pleasant memories, so it’s important for the whole family to practise good personal hygiene by washing their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and hot running water when out and about. “All animals naturally carry a range of
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