Menu
25/05/2023
Community Pharmacies Offer COVID-19 Spring Booster Vaccine
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has announced that communities pharmacies across Northern Ireland are now offering the COVID-19 spring booster vaccine to eligible people.
According to the PHA, the spring booster vaccine will help to prolong protection already received from initial COVID-19 vaccinations, ahead of any potential wave of the virus over the summer months.
This year's spring booster will be offered to:
• Residents in a care home.
• Adults aged 75 years and over.
• Individuals aged 5 years and over who are immunosuppressed.
Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the Public Health Agency (PHA), said: "COVID-19 is more serious in older people and in people with certain underlying health conditions and for these reasons they are being offered a spring booster of COVID-19 vaccine. I would urge everyone who falls into an eligible group to take up the offer of free vaccination when available."
Those eligible may have already been offered an appointment and you should be offered an appointment before end of June, with those at highest risk being called first. You will be invited to have your booster around six months from your last dose but you can have it from three months.
The vaccines are being rolled out to eligible groups via GPs, community pharmacies and HSC Trusts.
If you haven't already received an invite from your GP or your GP does not currently offer the booster call into your local community pharmacy to find out if they are offering the vaccine.
You can get your spring booster at a participating community pharmacy if you are:
• aged 75 and over (born before 31 March 1948);
• aged 18 to 74 and are immunosuppressed.
In addition, community pharmacies will be visiting care homes to vaccinate eligible residents and Trusts will vaccinate those immunosuppressed individuals aged five to under 18 years of age, as identified by their GP. Housebound patients will be identified by GP's and the Trust District Nursing teams will administer vaccinations.
Dr McClean continued: "The vaccination programme here has been a huge success with over four million doses delivered across the programme so far, it has saved lives, allowed us to live with COVID-19. However, the virus hasn't gone away, and could potentially result in a real health threat, particularly for vulnerable members of our community. Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases as they teach our immune system how to recognise and fight viruses.
"Therefore the PHA is urging everyone who falls into an eligible group to take up the offer of the spring booster as it will reduce the chance of you becoming severely unwell from COVID-19 this spring and summer."
For further information on the spring booster see www.pha.site/springbooster or www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/get-covid-19-vaccination-northern-ireland
According to the PHA, the spring booster vaccine will help to prolong protection already received from initial COVID-19 vaccinations, ahead of any potential wave of the virus over the summer months.
This year's spring booster will be offered to:
• Residents in a care home.
• Adults aged 75 years and over.
• Individuals aged 5 years and over who are immunosuppressed.
Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the Public Health Agency (PHA), said: "COVID-19 is more serious in older people and in people with certain underlying health conditions and for these reasons they are being offered a spring booster of COVID-19 vaccine. I would urge everyone who falls into an eligible group to take up the offer of free vaccination when available."
Those eligible may have already been offered an appointment and you should be offered an appointment before end of June, with those at highest risk being called first. You will be invited to have your booster around six months from your last dose but you can have it from three months.
The vaccines are being rolled out to eligible groups via GPs, community pharmacies and HSC Trusts.
If you haven't already received an invite from your GP or your GP does not currently offer the booster call into your local community pharmacy to find out if they are offering the vaccine.
You can get your spring booster at a participating community pharmacy if you are:
• aged 75 and over (born before 31 March 1948);
• aged 18 to 74 and are immunosuppressed.
In addition, community pharmacies will be visiting care homes to vaccinate eligible residents and Trusts will vaccinate those immunosuppressed individuals aged five to under 18 years of age, as identified by their GP. Housebound patients will be identified by GP's and the Trust District Nursing teams will administer vaccinations.
Dr McClean continued: "The vaccination programme here has been a huge success with over four million doses delivered across the programme so far, it has saved lives, allowed us to live with COVID-19. However, the virus hasn't gone away, and could potentially result in a real health threat, particularly for vulnerable members of our community. Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases as they teach our immune system how to recognise and fight viruses.
"Therefore the PHA is urging everyone who falls into an eligible group to take up the offer of the spring booster as it will reduce the chance of you becoming severely unwell from COVID-19 this spring and summer."
For further information on the spring booster see www.pha.site/springbooster or www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/get-covid-19-vaccination-northern-ireland
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Alliance Calls For 'Immediate And Decisive' Action On Child Hunger The Alliance Party has called for "immediate and decisive" action to address the growing crisis of child hunger in Northern Ireland.
Other News In Brief
Alliance Calls For 'Immediate And Decisive' Action On Child Hunger The Alliance Party has called for "immediate and decisive" action to address the growing crisis of child hunger in Northern Ireland.
14 May 2024
Immunosuppressed People Urged To Get Vaccine Booster
People who are immunosuppressed have been urged to top up their COVID-19 protection this spring.
Immunosuppressed People Urged To Get Vaccine Booster
People who are immunosuppressed have been urged to top up their COVID-19 protection this spring.
15 November 2024
Winter Vaccines: Get Boosted To Protect Yourself
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging eligible individuals in Northern Ireland to get their annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. The agency highlights the significant benefits of vaccination in reducing severe illness and death, especially for those at high risk.
Winter Vaccines: Get Boosted To Protect Yourself
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging eligible individuals in Northern Ireland to get their annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. The agency highlights the significant benefits of vaccination in reducing severe illness and death, especially for those at high risk.
15 April 2024
PHA Urges Uptake Of Covid-19 Spring Booster
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has called on communities to take the opportunity to top up their protection ahead of any potential waves of Covid-19 over the coming months.
PHA Urges Uptake Of Covid-19 Spring Booster
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has called on communities to take the opportunity to top up their protection ahead of any potential waves of Covid-19 over the coming months.
04 April 2023
COVID-19 Spring Booster Programme Announced
The COVID-19 spring booster programme is set to begin on Wednesday 12 April, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has announced. The spring booster vaccine will help to prolong protection already received from initial COVID vaccinations, ahead of any potential wave of COVID-19 over the summer months.
COVID-19 Spring Booster Programme Announced
The COVID-19 spring booster programme is set to begin on Wednesday 12 April, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has announced. The spring booster vaccine will help to prolong protection already received from initial COVID vaccinations, ahead of any potential wave of COVID-19 over the summer months.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
