Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are offering the COVID-19 spring booster vaccine to some eligible cohorts. The spring booster vaccine will help to prolong protection already received from initial COVID-19 vaccinations, ahead of any potential wave of the virus over the summer months. This year’s spring booster will be offered to: Residents in a care home. Adults aged 75 years and over. Individuals aged 5 years and over who are immunosuppressed. Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the Public Health Agency (PHA), said: “COVID-19 is more serious in older people and in

Clinical research is now the foundation of healthcare and is made possible thanks to the support and commitment of patients working in partnership with researchers and healthcare professionals. The Public Health Agency’s (PHA) Research & Development (R&D) Division supports researchers based in Northern Ireland by creating, funding and enabling research that ultimately aims to improve care for everyone who uses health and social care services. Dr Daniel Butler who has a General Practice Academic Research Training Fellowship is currently seconded to the Northern Ireland Clinical Primary Care

Saturday 20 May is International Clinical Trials Day and the HSC R&D Division within the Public Health Agency (PHA) is using it to encourage patients, carers and the public to get involved in research and ask healthcare professionals if there is a study they might be suitable for. Dr Daniel Butler, a GP Research Fellow with the Northern Ireland Clinical Research Network talks about why research relies on patients getting involved. “As a doctor in General Practice I get to see first-hand the difference new treatments can make to my patients. Clinical Trials are crucial to the development of a

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week (15-21 May) and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is raising awareness of what we can do when experiencing anxiety. Everyone can feel anxious from time to time and it is normal to feel anxiety in everyday situations, for example preparing for a job interview or at exam time. This anxiety can help improve our performance. However, for some, anxiety can begin to interfere with daily life and becomes intense. Fiona Teague, Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Lead at the PHA, said: “We can experience different types of anxiety with the daily challenges we

Next week (15-19 May) is Walk to School Week and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to get more active by leaving the car at home and walking the school run. Statistics show that almost two thirds (65%) of primary school pupils are driven to or from school by car, while around a quarter – only 26% – walk. For post-primary, 35% of pupils are driven by car and just 16% walk. When compared with stats from 2013/14, car travel to and from primary school has increased by 6% ( 59% to 65%) and walking has decreased by 5% ( 31% to 26%). Colette Brolly, the PHA lead on physical

During Dying Matters Awareness Week (8-14 May) the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Department of Health (DoH) are urging everyone to take the opportunity to talk openly about their wishes regarding their future care, dying, death and bereavement. This year’s theme is ‘Dying Matters at work’ and Sally Convery, Nurse Consultant for Palliative Care at the PHA, is encouraging everyone, including workplaces to talk to each other about dying, death and bereavement. “Many of us have specific wishes about how and where we would like to die and what we would like to happen after our death. However

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone of the need to clean your hands thoroughly and regularly on days out with the family. The call comes on the World Health Organization’s World Hand Hygiene Day [5 May], which this year highlights how important hand hygiene is in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alison Griffiths, Nurse Consultant Health Protection at the PHA, said: “The summer months are a great time for day trips, but we want people to have pleasant memories, so by following a few simple hygiene tips, you can have a fantastic time and stay well. “Open farms and swimming