PHA Continues To Encourage Vaccine Uptake

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has urged eligible people to take up the offer of the free COVID-19 and flu vaccines as soon as possible to top up their protection.

During the colder winter months when people stay indoors for longer, and often in larger groups, there is an increase in the number of people experiencing coughs, colds and flu-like illnesses. Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself against flu and COVID-19 and the PHA strongly encourages eligible people to take up the vaccination offer now, to help avoid missing out on socialising with friends and family due to illness.

Vaccination also supports our health service as it faces winter-related pressures, and although flu rates are currently low in Northern Ireland, we have seen cases starting to rise. Flu is circulating at high levels elsewhere, which could result in similar here – vaccination is the best step we can take to help prevent this as the vaccines offer protection against the most likely circulating strains.

This year's winter vaccination programme is focused on protecting those most vulnerable to flu and COVID-19. In particular, people with underlying health conditions, such as heart conditions or liver disease, that put them at greater risk of severe illness from flu and COVID-19. Pregnant women are strongly recommended to take up the vaccines, as these give them and their babies the best possible protection against serious illness from the viruses. All frontline health and social care workers are also eligible for the free flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

Dr Louise Herron, Deputy Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: "Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and others and we're pleased to see so many people come forward during the autumn to take up the offer.

"However, the flu virus changes every year, and protection from the COVID-19 vaccine fades over time. Flu and COVID-19 can still develop into serious illnesses and result in hospitalisation. Vaccines are the best protection we have against these viruses so it's important that all those who are eligible get vaccinated as soon as possible. This is especially true for pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions who are at increased risk from the viruses.

"I would urge all those who are eligible and have yet to be vaccinated to take up the offer as soon as possible as it can take up to two weeks for your immunity to build up fully in order to have the best protection during the winter months.

"We should also take common sense steps to reduce the spread of flu, COVID-19 and other similar illnesses by exercising good respiratory and hand hygiene and staying away from others if we have symptoms."