Northern Ireland people whose health could be seriously affected by flu were today urged to get the free flu vaccine as the Public Health Agency (PHA) launched its seasonal flu vaccination programme for 2012/2013. The message going out to people in ‘at risk’ groups, including over 65s, pregnant women, children and adults with some serious medical conditions, as well as youngsters attending schools for children with severe learning difficulties, is ‘Flu is more serious than you think – so get the flu vaccination now’.

To mark World Rabies Day (September 28) the PHA is urging people travelling overseas to be aware of the risk of catching the almost always fatal infection. The aim of World Rabies Day is to raise awareness about the impact of human and animal rabies, how easy it is to prevent, and how to eliminate the main global sources. Rabies in humans is 100% preventable, yet more than 55,000 people – mostly in Africa and Asia die from rabies every year.

With sexually transmitted infections on the rise, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding those students who choose to have sex, to make it safer as the new academic term starts. Leaving home or making many new friends at college or university is an exciting time for students, but young people starting this new chapter in their lives could be putting their health in danger through sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or run the risk of an unplanned pregnancy if they have unprotected sex.

‘Working together to increase physical activity in early years is vital to improving children’s overall health and wellbeing’ - that’s what delegates heard at a seminar about the importance of ensuring children get off to the best start in life. The seminar was jointly hosted by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the British Heart Foundation’s National Centre for Physical Activity and Health (BHFNC).

During ‘Freshers’ Week’, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging students across Northern Ireland to think about their drinking and to know their limits if they do choose to drink alcohol.

New ‘Active Travel’ Maps, funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA), for the cities and towns of Derry/ Londonderry, Enniskillen, Limavady, Omagh and Strabane have been launched to encourage local people and visitors to build physical activity into their day by walking, cycling, jogging, or using public transport. The Active Maps aim to promote health and wellbeing across the five district councils in the West and contain information on local cycle, walk and bus routes as well as useful contacts such as local cycle hire and sales outlets and walking groups, for example.

Meningitis is a potentially life-threatening disease and during Meningitis Awareness Week (17-23 September) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding students to be aware of the signs and symptoms. Teenagers and young adults (14–24 years old) are more at risk, especially when away from home with no parents around to look after them.

As students prepare for the start of the new academic year, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging teenagers and young adults to make sure they are protected against serious infections, such as measles, mumps and rubella. The start of the university year is an exciting time, with new friends to meet, clubs to join and the start of student life. However, university bars and campuses, where lots of students are in close proximity, are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses to spread.