Data were correct at 18 October 2026.

1 Summary

2 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme 2026/27

The Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme 2026/27 officially commenced in Northern Ireland on 01 October 2026. Younger eligible individuals were offered vaccination from September 2026. The vaccination programme is delivered by a number of providers including GP, community pharmacy, Health and Social Care Trusts and Trust school nursing teams. The total number of vaccinations administered to 18 October 2026 was 171,941. Influenza vaccine uptake in eligible adults in 2026/27 to date was highest in care home residents (27.3%) and individuals aged 65 years and over (24.9%). Uptake of influenza vaccine uptake in eligible children was highest in preschool school children at 18.4% (Figure 2.1).

Cumulative seasonal influenza vaccination uptake by eligible group in Northern Ireland, 2026/27 programme.

Figure 2.1: Cumulative seasonal influenza vaccination uptake by eligible group in Northern Ireland, 2026/27 programme.

2.1 65 years and over

2.1.1 65 years and over by local government district

Vaccine uptake in individuals aged 65 years and over varied by LGD. Vaccine uptake is highest in Lisburn and Castlereagh (34%) and Antrim and Newtownabbey (32.1%) and lowest in Fermanagh and Omagh (15.7%) (Figure 2.2).
Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in individuals aged 65 years and over by Local Government District in Northern Ireland, 2026/27.

Figure 2.2: Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in individuals aged 65 years and over by Local Government District in Northern Ireland, 2026/27.

2.1.2 65 years and over by age band

Vaccine uptake in individuals aged 65 years and over varies by age group. Vaccine uptake is highest in those aged 70-74 years (27.5%) and lowest in those aged 65-69 years (22.6%) (Figure 2.3).
Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in individuals aged 65 years and over by age band in Northern Ireland, 2026/27.

Figure 2.3: Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in individuals aged 65 years and over by age band in Northern Ireland, 2026/27.

2.1.3 65 years by Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measures (NIMDM) Decile

Vaccine uptake in individuals aged 65 years and over improves with increasing decile. Vaccine uptake increases from 27.3% in most deprived areas to 40.2% in least deprived areas. (Figure 2.4).
Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in individuals aged 65 years and over by Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measures Decile in Northern Ireland, 2025/26.

Figure 2.4: Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in individuals aged 65 years and over by Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measures Decile in Northern Ireland, 2025/26.

2.2 18-64 years ‘at risk’

2.2.1 18-64 years ‘at risk’ by Local Government District

Vaccine uptake in individuals aged 18-64 years ‘at risk’ varied by LGD. Vaccine uptake was highest in Lisburn and Castlereagh (21.7%) and lowest in Fermanagh and Omagh (6.5%) and in Derry City and Strabane (7%) (Figure 2.5).
Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in individuals aged 18 to 64 years 'at risk' by Local Government District in Northern Ireland, 2026/27.

Figure 2.5: Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in individuals aged 18 to 64 years ‘at risk’ by Local Government District in Northern Ireland, 2026/27.

2.2.2 18-64 years ‘at risk’ by age band

Vaccine uptake in individuals aged 18-64 years ‘at risk’ improved with increasing age. Vaccine uptake increased from 5.4% in those aged 18-24 years to 15.2% in those aged 60-64 years (Figure 2.6).
Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in individuals aged 18 to 64 years 'at risk' by age band in Northern Ireland, 2026/27.

Figure 2.6: Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in individuals aged 18 to 64 years ‘at risk’ by age band in Northern Ireland, 2026/27.

2.3 Care Home residents

2.3.1 Care Home residents by Trust

Vaccine uptake in care home residents varied across Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust area; ranging from 21.1% in Southern HSC Trust (SHSCT) to 38.1% in Northern HSC Trust (NHSCT) (Figure 2.7).
Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in care home residents by Trust in Northern Ireland, 2026/27.

Figure 2.7: Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in care home residents by Trust in Northern Ireland, 2026/27.

2.4 Preschool children

2.4.1 Preschool children by Local Government District

Vaccine uptake in preschool children varied by LGD. Vaccine uptake was highest in Lisburn and Castlereagh (31.6%) and lowest in Fermanagh and Omagh (11.1%) (Figure 2.8).
Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in preschool children by Local Government District in Northern Ireland, 2026/27.

Figure 2.8: Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in preschool children by Local Government District in Northern Ireland, 2026/27.

2.5 All Trust employed health and social care workers

2.5.1 All Trust employed health and social care workers by Trust

In Northern Ireland, the offer of seasonal influenza vaccination in 2026/27 is to all health and social care workers including those without direct patient contact. Further information on eligibility criteria is included in Section 3: Eligibility for vaccinations. Estimated vaccine uptake in all Trust employed health and social care workers varied by HSC Trust. Estimated uptake was highest in Belfast HSC Trust (BHSCT, 19.4%). Estimated uptake was lowest in Northern HSC Trust (NHSCT, 9.1%) (Figure 2.9).

Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in all Trust-employed health and social care workers in Northern Ireland, 2026/27.

Figure 2.9: Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in all Trust-employed health and social care workers in Northern Ireland, 2026/27.

2.5.2 All Trust employed health and social care workers by job role

Estimated uptake was highest in Medical and Dental job roles (38.3%) in Trust employed health and social care workers. Estimated uptake was lowest in those working in job roles within Social Services (4.6%) (Figure 2.10).

Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in all Trust-employed health and social care workers in Northern Ireland, by job role, 2026/27.

Figure 2.10: Seasonal influenza vaccination uptake in all Trust-employed health and social care workers in Northern Ireland, by job role, 2026/27.

3 Eligibility for vaccinations

The Green Book is published by UK Health Security Agency and provides information for public health professionals on immunisation, including seasonal influenza vaccination (The Green Book | Immunisation againist infectious disease). Considering this advice and that of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the Chief Medical Officer in Northern Ireland issues a letter for the seasonal influenza programme outlining who is eligible for vaccination under the current programme. For more information on the vaccination programmes in Northern Ireland, including eligibility for vaccination, please visit Health NI | Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme 2026/2027.

The Green Book advises that influenza immunisation should be provided to healthcare and social care workers in direct contact with patients/clients, i.e. frontline health and social care workers (Green Book | Chapter 19: Influenza). In Northern Ireland, the offer of seasonal influenza vaccination in 2026/27 is to all health and social care workers including those without direct patient contact.

4 Methods

Data is presented to the end of the last reporting week, Sunday 18 October 2026.

All vaccinations are recorded on the Northern Ireland Vaccine Management System (VMS). Vaccinations administered as part of the schools influenza vaccination programme are recorded on the Northern Ireland Child Health System (CHS) which feeds into VMS.

Data is provisional and accurate at the time of extraction. Data lags exist between date of administration of the vaccine and date of recording on VMS or CHS.

Eligible groups are not mutually exclusive and individuals may be counted in more than one group. Individuals may have more than one eligibility criteria for vaccination, however most will only have one reason for vaccination recorded on VMS. This will impact estimates of vaccine uptake.

4.1 Definitions and data sources

Vaccine uptake (%) is defined as the number of vaccinations administered (numerator) divided by the eligible population (denominator). Vaccine uptake is included in this report for those eligible groups in which a denominator is available.

Seasonal influenza vaccination is defined as any vaccination recorded on the Northern Ireland Vaccine Management System (VMS) administered from 01 September 2026 to 31 March 2027.

4.1.1 Adult vaccinations by age group

Age for adult vaccinations is based on age at the end of the programme, 31 March 2027. The age group based population is based on the NISRA mid-year estimate (2025).

The Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure (NIMDM) deciles were assigned based on the Super Output Area (SOA) level results from Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2017 (NIMDM2017) | Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. Each SOA was categorised one to ten with one being the most deprived and ten being the least deprived.

4.1.2 At risk individuals

Individuals ‘at risk’ are determined using the reason for vaccination ‘at risk’ or ‘immunosuppressed’, as populated on the VMS. The population ‘at risk’ is determined using data from the national General Practice Intelligence Platform (GPIP) extracted at the beginning of the programme. Vaccine uptake for the adult ‘at risk’ population is estimated in this report.

4.1.3 Preschool children

Preschool children are those aged two to four years on 01 September 2026, i.e. those born between 02/07/2022 and 01/09/2024. This population is determined using data from CHS extracted at the beginning of the programme.

4.1.4 School-aged children

Primary school children are those in primary years 1 to 7 during the programme, i.e. those born between 02/07/2015 and 01/07/2022. Post primary school children are those in years 8 to 12 during the programme, i.e. those born between 02/07/2010 and 01/07/2015. The Department of Education collects data annually on the number of pupils in schools in Northern Ireland, this school census data is used to estimate the population of primary and post primary school children. The latest available data is 2025/26.

4.1.5 Care home

Care home residents are those recorded as a care home resident with a valid RQIA care home registration number on VMS. The care home resident population is based on the beds occupied reported in the Northern Ireland RQIA Census of Bed Availability in Registered Care Homes in Northern Ireland (December 2023). Care home staff are those aged under 75 years and recorded as care home staff on VMS. The care home staff population is based on the latest data submission from care homes on the RQIA web portal in August 2023.

4.1.6 Health and social care workers

Reporting of health and social care worker (HSCW) estimated uptake is based on Trust-employed staff only. This includes the five health and social care Trusts and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS). The population of Trust-employed HSCWs is based on the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Workforce Census 2026.

5 Supplementary tables

Table 1: Number of influenza vaccinations and vaccination uptake by eligible group in Northern Ireland, 2026/27 programme.

Eligible group

Number vaccinated

Population

Vaccine uptake (%)

65 years and over

88,913

356,485

24.9

18-64 years 'at risk'

29,001

265,026

10.9

Care Home residents

3,682

13,490

27.3

All Trust employed HSCWs

11,052

72,700

15.2

Preschool children

7,724

41,941

18.4

Primary School children

19,678

174,778

11.3

Post Primary School children

9,211

126,872

7.3

Special School children

816

7,729

10.6

Table 2: Number of influenza vaccinations and vaccination uptake in individuals aged 65 years and over by Local Government District in Northern Ireland, 2026/27 programme

LGD

Number vaccinated

Population

Vaccine uptake (%)

Antrim and Newtownabbey

8,705

27,128

32.1

Ards and North Down

9,037

39,191

23.1

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon

9,537

38,626

24.7

Belfast

16,140

54,684

29.5

Causeway Coast and Glens

6,400

29,788

21.5

Derry City and Strabane

6,084

26,538

22.9

Fermanagh and Omagh

3,733

23,722

15.7

Lisburn and Castlereagh

9,776

28,728

34.0

Mid Ulster

4,614

24,928

18.5

Mid and East Antrim

6,936

29,473

23.5

Newry, Mourne and Down

7,821

33,679

23.2

Table 3: Number of influenza vaccinations and vaccination uptake in individuals aged 65 years and over by age band in Northern Ireland, 2026/27 programme.

Age Band

Number vaccinated

Population

Vaccine uptake (%)

65-69

23,614

104,591

22.6

70-74

23,199

84,477

27.5

75-79

18,202

72,152

25.2

80+

23,898

95,265

25.1

Table 4: Number of influenza vaccinations and vaccination uptake in individuals aged 65 years and over by Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measures Decile in Northern Ireland, 2025/26. in Northern Ireland, 2025/26.

NIMDMDecile

People

Population

Vaccine uptake (%)

1

6,266

22,967

27.3

2

8,009

27,610

29.0

3

8,421

30,328

27.8

4

8,856

33,564

26.4

5

10,375

35,091

29.6

6

9,377

32,782

28.6

7

9,953

33,442

29.8

8

11,684

34,564

33.8

9

12,225

33,341

36.7

10

14,568

36,251

40.2

Table 5: Number of influenza vaccinations and vaccination uptake in individuals aged 18 -64 years and over by Local Government District in Northern Ireland, 2026/27 programme.

LGD

Number vaccinated

Population

Vaccine uptake (%)

Antrim and Newtownabbey

2,505

20,159

12.4

Ards and North Down

2,910

21,717

13.4

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon

3,268

29,885

10.9

Belfast

5,887

48,673

12.1

Causeway Coast and Glens

1,658

19,035

8.7

Derry City and Strabane

1,620

23,054

7.0

Fermanagh and Omagh

1,036

16,009

6.5

Lisburn and Castlereagh

4,384

20,194

21.7

Mid Ulster

1,656

19,947

8.3

Mid and East Antrim

1,454

19,457

7.5

Newry, Mourne and Down

2,544

24,939

10.2

Table 6: Number of influenza vaccinations and vaccination uptake in individuals aged 18 -64 years and over by age band in Northern Ireland, 2026/27 programme.

Age Band

Number vaccinated

Population

Vaccine uptake (%)

18-24

975

18,136

5.4

25-29

1,021

14,519

7.0

30-34

1,436

17,554

8.2

35-39

1,854

21,176

8.8

40-44

2,290

25,235

9.1

45-49

2,841

29,273

9.7

50-54

3,891

34,909

11.1

55-59

6,009

47,256

12.7

60-64

8,684

56,968

15.2

Table 7: Number of influenza vaccinations and vaccination uptake in care home residents by Trust in Northern Ireland, 2026/27 programme.

Trust

Number vaccinated

Population

Vaccine uptake (%)

BHSCT

572

2,680

21.3

NHSCT

1,340

3,521

38.1

SEHSCT

871

3,201

27.2

SHSCT

469

2,224

21.1

WHSCT

428

1,864

23.0

Table 8: Number of influenza vaccinations and vaccination uptake in preschool aged children by LGD in Northern Ireland, 2026/27 programme.

LGD

Number vaccinated

Population

Vaccine uptake (%)

Antrim and Newtownabbey

670

3,132

21.4

Ards and North Down

643

2,997

21.5

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon

920

5,126

17.9

Belfast

1,481

6,909

21.4

Causeway Coast and Glens

414

2,916

14.2

Derry City and Strabane

439

3,452

12.7

Fermanagh and Omagh

297

2,671

11.1

Lisburn and Castlereagh

1,073

3,398

31.6

Mid Ulster

560

3,926

14.3

Mid and East Antrim

632

2,859

22.1

Newry, Mourne and Down

556

4,374

12.7

Table 9: Number of influenza vaccinations and vaccination uptake in health and social care workers by Trust in Northern Ireland, 2026/27 programme.

Trust

Number vaccinated

Population

Vaccine uptake (%)

BHSCT

4,380

22,574

19.4

NHSCT

1,129

12,374

9.1

NIAS

200

1,647

12.1

SEHSCT

1,926

11,494

16.8

SHSCT

1,397

12,550

11.1

WHSCT

2,020

12,061

16.7

Table 10: Number of influenza vaccinations and vaccination uptake in health and social care workers by job role in Northern Ireland, 2026/27 programme.

Job role

Number vaccinated

Population

Vaccine uptake (%)

Admin & Clerical

1,577

14,787

10.7

Ambulance

158

1,357

11.6

Estates

175

844

20.7

Medical & Dental

2,328

6,082

38.3

Nursing & Midwifery

3,489

25,522

13.7

Professional & Tech

1,998

11,749

17.0

Social Services

460

10,023

4.6

Support Services

921

6,576

14.0