Menu
28/09/2012
New Flu Vaccination For Children
All children in Northern Ireland will benefit from a new nasal flu vaccination which is due to be made available for young people by 2014.
Children and young people aged 2-17 years who are at risk of harm from the flu are being offered a nasal-spray vaccination which will eventually be offered to all children in Northern Ireland.
Dr Gerry Waldron from the Public Health Agency explained: "Everyone who receives an invitation to be vaccinated against flu should see it as a positive step in protecting their health and the health of others around them.
"The flu vaccine does not give you the flu. It is offered for the sole reason to protect at risk groups because if they get flu, they are more likely to have severe illness and/or develop complications such as pneumonia, which can be life-threatening.
"Pregnant women are more likely to have serious illness if they catch flu, which is why they will be invited by their GP at all stages of pregnancy, to protect them and their unborn baby. Health and Social Care staff are also urged to get vaccinated, to protect themselves, their families and those they care for."
Health Minister Edwin Poots said: "Northern Ireland traditionally achieves a high uptake rate for the 'at risk' groups thanks to the hard work and dedication from all the staff involved in the vaccination programme across the Health and Social Care Trusts and also GPs and their staff.
"I would again urge everyone involved in the vaccination programme to try and build on this uptake rate to ensure as many of our most vulnerable citizens are protected against seasonal flu."
Clinics are offering the vaccine from 1 October.
(IT)
Children and young people aged 2-17 years who are at risk of harm from the flu are being offered a nasal-spray vaccination which will eventually be offered to all children in Northern Ireland.
Dr Gerry Waldron from the Public Health Agency explained: "Everyone who receives an invitation to be vaccinated against flu should see it as a positive step in protecting their health and the health of others around them.
"The flu vaccine does not give you the flu. It is offered for the sole reason to protect at risk groups because if they get flu, they are more likely to have severe illness and/or develop complications such as pneumonia, which can be life-threatening.
"Pregnant women are more likely to have serious illness if they catch flu, which is why they will be invited by their GP at all stages of pregnancy, to protect them and their unborn baby. Health and Social Care staff are also urged to get vaccinated, to protect themselves, their families and those they care for."
Health Minister Edwin Poots said: "Northern Ireland traditionally achieves a high uptake rate for the 'at risk' groups thanks to the hard work and dedication from all the staff involved in the vaccination programme across the Health and Social Care Trusts and also GPs and their staff.
"I would again urge everyone involved in the vaccination programme to try and build on this uptake rate to ensure as many of our most vulnerable citizens are protected against seasonal flu."
Clinics are offering the vaccine from 1 October.
(IT)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 October 2019
Child Flu Vaccinations To Be Delayed
Child flu vaccination services are likely to be delayed in Northern Ireland, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has warned. GPs will now prioritise children with underlying health conditions and pre-school children over the age of two as routine testing of the Fluenz Tetra nasal vaccine is delayed.
Child Flu Vaccinations To Be Delayed
Child flu vaccination services are likely to be delayed in Northern Ireland, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has warned. GPs will now prioritise children with underlying health conditions and pre-school children over the age of two as routine testing of the Fluenz Tetra nasal vaccine is delayed.
22 October 2009
More Swine Flu Tragedies Revealed
A second child from Foyleview special school in Londonderry has died after contracting swine flu. Ashleigh Lynch is understood to have been a fellow pupil of 14-year-old Orla O'Kane who died last week.
More Swine Flu Tragedies Revealed
A second child from Foyleview special school in Londonderry has died after contracting swine flu. Ashleigh Lynch is understood to have been a fellow pupil of 14-year-old Orla O'Kane who died last week.
04 October 2006
Winter flu-vaccine programme launched
Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, has today launched the Department of Health's free winter flu vaccination programme. Stocks of the flu vaccine are now in place in Northern Ireland and ready to be administered to "at risk" groups.
Winter flu-vaccine programme launched
Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, has today launched the Department of Health's free winter flu vaccination programme. Stocks of the flu vaccine are now in place in Northern Ireland and ready to be administered to "at risk" groups.
01 October 2002
UUP health spokesman backs flu jab for elderly
Ulster Unionist Party health spokesman, the Rev. Robert Coulter has urged those over 65 to have the flu vaccination as part of the Northern Health Board’s Flu Immunisation Campaign.
UUP health spokesman backs flu jab for elderly
Ulster Unionist Party health spokesman, the Rev. Robert Coulter has urged those over 65 to have the flu vaccination as part of the Northern Health Board’s Flu Immunisation Campaign.
28 July 2021
Number Of Regional Vaccination Centres To Close
Seven regional vaccination centres across Northern Ireland will close for first dose vaccines this weekend.
Number Of Regional Vaccination Centres To Close
Seven regional vaccination centres across Northern Ireland will close for first dose vaccines this weekend.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
