Ahead of World Immunisation Week 2025 the Public Health Agency (PHA) has launched a digital creator and poster competition for aspiring creatives from primary school pupils up to college/university students. World Immunisation Week is celebrated on 24-30 April 2025 and aims to highlight the collective action needed to improve vaccination uptake and promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. Immunisation is the safest and most effective way of protecting against serious diseases. Many childhood diseases that were common here prior to the introduction of

The COVID-19 spring booster vaccination programme gets under way today [Monday 15 April], giving the more vulnerable members of our community the opportunity to top up their protection ahead of any potential waves of COVID-19 over the coming months. This year’s spring booster will be offered to: adults aged 75 years old or over; residents in a care home for older adults; individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed. Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “COVID-19 infection can cause more serious illness in older people and in people with certain

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging parents and guardians to talk to young people about the dangers of vaping unknown substances as it could make them seriously ill or even be fatal. The PHA is focussing in particular on the dangers of vaping ‘Spice’, a synthetic drug which mimics the effects of cannabis. Spice is a nickname for a substance containing one or more of a group of drugs called synthetic cannabinoids. Kevin Bailey, Regional Lead for Drugs and Alcohol at the PHA, said: “Synthetic cannabinoids are relatively new drugs and evidence is still coming out about harms associated with

This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month [April], the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding people about the two key actions to help combat bowel cancer – act when you notice symptoms, and take part in screening if eligible. Dr Christine McKee, Public Health Consultant at the PHA, said: “Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers for both men and women. Being alert to the symptoms of bowel cancer and attending for screening when invited could save your life. The earlier cancer is detected, the better the chances of treatment being successful.” The bowel cancer screening programme in Northern

As part of the Living Well service, community pharmacies are highlighting the importance of attending for screening when invited. The ‘Cancer screening saves lives’ campaign will run in over 500 community pharmacies throughout April and May and aims to increase awareness of the cancer screening programmes available in Northern Ireland and to encourage all of those who are eligible to participate. There are three screening programmes in Northern Ireland – breast, bowel and cervical – which aim to detect cancer, or risk of cancer, early. The programmes are aimed at those who don’t have any

Ahead of World TB Day on Sunday 24 March, new figures from the Public Health Agency (PHA) have revealed a steady increase in cases of tuberculosis (TB) in Northern Ireland since 2020. There were 77 cases of TB notified to the PHA in 2023, an increase from 68 cases reported in 2022 and 55 cases reported in both 2021 and 2020. In 2022 and 2023 almost 23% of people diagnosed with TB had at least one social risk factor (SRF). SRFs are conditions that increase the likelihood of negative health outcomes for individuals and communities, such as low income, reduced access to education or healthcare

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all those eligible for the MMR vaccine to get vaccinated as a key part of any Easter travel plans. With a growing number of measles cases in the UK and Europe, the PHA is currently rolling out a mass vaccination drive in collaboration with health trusts and GP surgeries for all those aged between 12 months and 25 years who missed getting one or both of their MMR (mumps, measles and rubella) vaccines first time round. Getting both doses greatly reduces the risk of catching and spreading measles. Louise Flanagan, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA

Tackling the underlying causes of poor mental health is key to achieving better outcomes for people living in Northern Ireland, a conference in Belfast will hear tomorrow. The issue has been brought into focus by data which show that approximately one in five people in Northern Ireland have a potential mental health problem. Ahead of the Early Intervention and Prevention Conference, which will bring together policymakers, academics and professionals from statutory, voluntary and community sector organisations to focus on prevention and to consider the impact of their work on public mental