The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to remember the basic steps to help reduce their risk of catching or spreading COVID-19 – wear a face covering, maintain social distancing, and practise good hand hygiene – as well as keeping rooms well-ventilated, over the festive period. Dr Gerry Waldron, Head of Health Protection at the PHA, said: “The core advice around what we can do to reduce our risk has been in place since the start of the pandemic. However, these steps really will be the most effective way of helping to protect ourselves and those around us over Christmas, so I urge

Health Minister Robin Swann has urged people to talk to their loved ones about organ donation as he launches a consultation on an opt-out system. The purpose of the consultation is to seek the public’s views on how to introduce a soft opt-out organ donation system for Northern Ireland. This would require new legislation to change the current system here, from opt-in to opt-out. Making the announcement today, Minister Swann said: “Whilst over 80% of the population supports organ donation, only 48% have recorded this decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. “This means that the NHS Organ Donor

People in Northern Ireland have been playing their part in the development of a potential new COVID-19 vaccine as part of a UK-wide trial. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)-supported Novavax Phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial has achieved its recruitment target of 15,203 volunteers just two months after opening in the UK – including 482 participants from Northern Ireland. This is the first COVID-19 vaccine trial to take place in Northern Ireland and the number recruited surpassed the original target of 350. Recruitment closed on Friday 27 November at its Belfast site, where staff

Despite the difficulties coronavirus has caused this year, there are over 335 projects in communities across Northern Ireland that have benefited from over £975,000 investment by the Public Health Agency (PHA). This investment has been the result of a short-term funding programme to support the mental and emotional wellbeing of communities, with thousands of participants of all ages and backgrounds benefitting. The short-term funding programme has awarded grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 and have enabled community and voluntary sector groups to implement small-scale programmes within

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging everyone who falls into an eligible group to get the free flu vaccine ahead of the anticipated increase in spread of the virus. Dr David Irwin, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “After a very strong rate of uptake of the initial batch of vaccine, a temporary pause on some aspects of the seasonal flu vaccination programme was put in place until the next scheduled consignment of vaccine arrived. “Approximately 200,000 doses of flu vaccine have now been received as planned, so we are urging everyone who is in an eligible group to get the

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is warning parents and guardians about the dangers of lithium button cell batteries, which are used to power many children’s toys but are highly dangerous if accidentally swallowed, and is also urging everyone to ensure any toys bought for Christmas are age-appropriate. The festive period can typically see a rise in the number of small, button-shaped lithium cell batteries introduced to the home as they are contained in many toys, musical Christmas cards, remote controls and a host of other electronic items. Hilary Johnston, Health and Social Wellbeing