New figures from the Public Health Agency (PHA) show a total of 31,851 transactions were made by the Needle and Syringe Exchange Service (NSES) across Northern Ireland in 2023. Helping to stop the spread of infection from potential drug-related litter and sharing of injecting equipment, the NSES also provides those who use the service with direct contact with a health professional who can help them engage with additional services they may require. Anyone who injects substances can use a needle exchange service to access clean equipment, and this includes people who inject substances such as

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging people who are immunosuppressed to top up their COVID-19 protection this spring. Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed should receive a spring booster dose of the vaccine, typically six months after their last dose to ensure they have the best protection against becoming ill with COVID-19. Immunosuppression means you have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or because you are on medication or treatment that suppresses your immune system. This includes patients undergoing chemotherapy or organ transplant, those

This Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May), the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Sport NI have teamed up to encourage everyone to move more for their mental health and wellbeing. Our physical health can have a big impact on how we feel and what we do with our body can have a powerful effect on your mental wellbeing. Fiona Teague, Regional Lead for Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing at the PHA, said: “The benefits of getting active for your mental and emotional wellbeing cannot be overstated. “That’s why we are so keen for people to get moving more this Mental Health Awareness Week. Use

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging pregnant women and the parents of young children to book an appointment for the pertussis vaccine to help protect their children after a significant rise in cases of whooping cough. A highly contagious and sometimes serious bacterial infection, there have been 769 confirmed cases of whooping cough (pertussis) so far this year in Northern Ireland compared with just two between 2021 and 2023. Louise Flanagan, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said: “Whooping cough spreads very easily and can make babies and young children in particular very ill, and

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is emphasising the importance of getting the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine as it confirmed that a number of linked cases of measles have been identified in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area. This brings the total cases of measles in Northern Ireland to 10 laboratory confirmed cases. Louise Flanagan, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said: “Measles is highly infectious and is caused by a virus that can easily spread between unvaccinated people, which is what has happened here. This cluster impacts two schools, which thankfully have

This Sun Awareness Week [6-12 May], the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are encouraging everyone to be UV aware and get the best from your sunscreen to help reduce your risk of skin cancer. Dr Louise Herron, Deputy Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “As the days begin to get brighter, many of us will be keen to spend some time outside in the sun. While sunlight is important for our overall health and wellbeing, too much UV radiation from the sun can cause damage to the skin and lead to skin cancer. The majority of all skin cancers are preventable by

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone ahead of World Hand Hygiene Day on the 5 May of the need to clean your hands thoroughly and regularly on days out with the family, particularly when visiting open farms. Caroline McGeary, Senior Infection Prevention and Control Nurse at the PHA, said: “The spring and summer months are a great time to visit open farms, but we want people to have pleasant memories, so it’s important for the whole family to practise good personal hygiene by washing your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and hot running water when visiting these places.