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09/01/2025
Flu Vaccines Free Of Charge For 50 To 64 Year-Olds
Everyone aged 50 to 64 will be able to receive influenza vaccination free of charge, the Department of Health has announced.
This signifies an extension of the current programme, in addition to groups already eligible for the flu vaccination.
Those eligible for influenza vaccine under the extended programme are: All adults aged 50 years and over on March 31, 2025; Persons aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book influenza chapter (Green Book); Pregnant women; Those in long-stay residential care homes; All health and social care workers; All preschool children aged two to four years on September 1, 2024; All primary and secondary school children (up to and including year 12); Carers; Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals; and High risk poultry and avian animal health workers.
Arrangements are being completed at pace to make the vaccination available through community pharmacies, Trust vaccination clinics and GP surgeries.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: "This year, flu season has had an early and sharp start, with the number of people who have influenza increasing rapidly since the beginning of December. This is contributing to the pressures currently being seen in our hospitals and expect that pressure to continue or grow in the coming weeks.
"The decision to extend the programme to everyone aged 50 to 64 years of age is a pragmatic approach based on the stock of vaccines that we have available and the pressures we are facing. It will benefit individuals, the health service and society more generally."
Minister Nesbitt continued: "To date, over 526,000 influenza vaccinations have been administered to those eligible for the annual flu vaccination programme across Northern Ireland.
"I would urge all those who are eligible for the flu vaccine, including those in the 50 to 64 age group, to take up the offer as soon as possible."
This signifies an extension of the current programme, in addition to groups already eligible for the flu vaccination.
Those eligible for influenza vaccine under the extended programme are: All adults aged 50 years and over on March 31, 2025; Persons aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book influenza chapter (Green Book); Pregnant women; Those in long-stay residential care homes; All health and social care workers; All preschool children aged two to four years on September 1, 2024; All primary and secondary school children (up to and including year 12); Carers; Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals; and High risk poultry and avian animal health workers.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: "This year, flu season has had an early and sharp start, with the number of people who have influenza increasing rapidly since the beginning of December. This is contributing to the pressures currently being seen in our hospitals and expect that pressure to continue or grow in the coming weeks.
"The decision to extend the programme to everyone aged 50 to 64 years of age is a pragmatic approach based on the stock of vaccines that we have available and the pressures we are facing. It will benefit individuals, the health service and society more generally."
Minister Nesbitt continued: "To date, over 526,000 influenza vaccinations have been administered to those eligible for the annual flu vaccination programme across Northern Ireland.
"I would urge all those who are eligible for the flu vaccine, including those in the 50 to 64 age group, to take up the offer as soon as possible."
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
