In the last two years we have learnt that vaccines really are the first line of defence against killer disease and this year during World Immunisation Week we are reminding everyone that we cannot become complacent. So whether it’s the COVID-19 vaccine or vaccination as part of a seasonal programme or the childhood immunisation programme, getting vaccinated is the single most important thing we can do to protect our health. Rachel Spiers, Immunisation and Vaccination Programme Manager at the PHA said: “Many childhood diseases that were common in the UK prior to the introduction of vaccination

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is continuing to work with counterparts in other jurisdictions as part of a UK-wide investigation being led by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) into cases of hepatitis (liver inflammation) in children in which the common viruses which usually cause hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, C, D or E) have not been detected. The number of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland is five. There have been over 100 confirmed cases across the UK to date. The agency is working with HSC partners to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, so that any children who may be

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is continuing to work with counterparts in other jurisdictions as part of a UK-wide investigation into cases of hepatitis (liver inflammation) in children in which the common viruses which usually cause hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, C, D or E) have not been detected. The number of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland remains fewer than five. The agency is working with HSC partners to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, so that any children who may be affected can be identified early and the appropriate tests carried out. Work is ongoing to assess a wide

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has launched a COVID-19 vaccination toolkit to support organisations in promoting the COVID-19 vaccine and increasing uptake. Dr Jillian Johnston, Joint Interim Assistant Director in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “COVID-19 has not gone away and getting vaccinated provides the best protection for individuals and the wider community. The purpose of this toolkit is to provide a central point of access to materials and resources for individuals and organisations seeking to promote COVID-19 vaccination within their local communities.” The toolkit is designed for

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is working with counterparts in other jurisdictions on a UK-wide investigation into cases of hepatitis (liver inflammation) in children in which the common viruses which usually cause hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, C, D or E) have not been detected. There are a small number of confirmed cases (fewer than five) in Northern Ireland currently. The agency is working with HSC partners to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, so that any children who may be affected can be identified early and the appropriate tests carried out. One of a number of potential causes

Most people’s spring cleaning to-do lists focus on clearing out unwanted items and freshening up the home, this year the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to put a focus on steps that will help make their homes safer at this time. “We are asking people to add a few tasks to the spring cleaning to-do list that are aimed at keeping their home not only tidy but safe for them and their family,” said Hilary Johnston, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager with the PHA. “More accidents happen in the home than anywhere else and many of the jobs people will be doing around their

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is working with counterparts in other jurisdictions on a UK-wide investigation into acute hepatitis in children in which the common viruses which usually cause hepatitis have not been detected. Acute hepatitis is a condition that affects the liver. There are no confirmed cases in Northern Ireland currently. The agency is working with HSC partners to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, so that any children who may be affected can be identified early and the appropriate tests carried out. Dr Gillian Armstrong, Interim Joint Head of Health Protection at

April is Stress Awareness Month and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is taking the opportunity to highlight the signs and symptoms of stress, what we can do to tackle stress in our lives, and where to get information and support. Stress is the feeling of being unable to cope as a result of too much mental or emotional pressure. It can affect our physical health as well as our mental health and wellbeing. Common signs of stress can include sleeping problems, sweating, loss of appetite and difficulty concentrating. You may feel anxious, irritable, experience racing thoughts, worry constantly or go

As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone of the need to get their eyes tested, emphasising the importance of good eye health and the steps to follow to help protect your vision. Dr Jackie McCall, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA, said: “Over 50% of sight loss is preventable, so ensuring that we all have regular eye examinations will help prevent, or limit, the damage caused by certain eye conditions. “We should all aim to get our eyes tested every two years; regular sight checks are important for two reasons. Firstly, having your vision