A new campaign focussing on the importance of getting the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine has been launched in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland, as the total laboratory confirmed cases of measles in Northern Ireland stands at 11. The MMR campaign highlights the importance of vaccination in protecting against measles, mumps and rubella which are highly infectious viruses that can easily spread between unvaccinated people. The campaign is running in community pharmacies throughout June and July as part of the Living Well service. Living Well is offered in over 500 pharmacies

Community and voluntary groups are being encouraged to apply for a short-term funding programme that focuses on improving mental health and emotional wellbeing. The Public Health Agency (PHA) initiative which aims to address health and wellbeing needs in local communities, is now open, with groups having until 3pm on Friday 21 June to submit applications. Fiona Teague, Regional Lead for Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing at PHA, said: “Community and voluntary organisations are most acutely aware of the issues that affect people on the ground and this short-term funding programme will give

One year on from the introduction of Dáithi’s Law, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has welcomed the increase in the number of donors and families supporting organ donation. Saturday 1 June marks one year since the Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 came into effect in Northern Ireland. Known as ‘Dáithí’s Law’ in recognition of s even year-old Dáithí Mac Gabhann – who has been on the waiting list for a heart transplant since 2018 - t he law means that adults in NI are considered potential organ donors unless they choose to opt in or opt out, or are in an

Poignant and thought-provoking images of children waiting for ONE phone call which will change their lives will now be display for public viewing in Belfast. Arranged to coincide with the first anniversary of the change in law to an opt-out system of organ donation, the exhibition features Dáithí Mac Gabhann who has been waiting for the gift of a new heart since 2018. The 1 June will also mark 6 years since he was added to the list. During this time his family have worked tirelessly to campaign for a move towards soft opt-out law and to promote organ donation. The law means, in the event that

A school principal has said that he has noticed pupils having more energy and are more engaged when they have walked to school. Glenwood Primary School in Belfast is taking part in Walk to School Week [20–24 May] as part of this year’s Active School Travel (AST) programme with Sustrans, funded by Public Health Agency (PHA) and Department for Infrastructure. Wesley Wright, Principal at Glenwood Primary School, said: “When our children walk to school there is a real buzz when they arrive and sense of camaraderie when they walk with their friends or family members. When they arrive at school

The Farm Families Health Checks Programme, which offers on-the-spot health checks to rural communities through a mobile unit attending marts and community-based events, has marked the 25,000 th client to avail of the service at this year’s Balmoral Show. The Public Health Agency (PHA) partners with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to develop and co-fund this programme, and it has been successfully delivered by the Northern Trust since March 2012 to help improve the health and social wellbeing of farmers and farm families across Northern Ireland. Health

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