The Public Health Agency has launched this year's flu vaccination programme in Northern Ireland, with over one million people eligible for the free vaccine. The rollout begins on 1 October, delivered through GP surgeries, community pharmacies, and health and social care trusts, including school nursing teams.

Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, stated that flu can cause serious complications, including hospitalisation and death. The vaccine is updated annually to match circulating strains, so people need to be vaccinated again this year even if they received it previously.

Children from P1 to Year 12 will be offered the vaccine through school-based clinics, with consent forms sent home in schoolbags. Parents must sign and return the forms, as school nurses cannot administer the vaccine without consent. Pre-schoolers aged two and over can receive the vaccine through their GP surgery.

Dr McClean noted a reduction in uptake among children in recent years. She emphasised that children play a role in spreading flu, so vaccinating them helps protect more vulnerable people, including babies, grandparents, and pregnant women. Children receive the vaccine as a nasal spray.

Pregnant women can get the free vaccine at any stage of pregnancy through their maternity unit, GP practice, or community pharmacy. Flu infection during pregnancy can be harmful to both mother and baby.

Last flu season, there were over 2,400 hospital admissions due to community-acquired flu in Northern Ireland, with the highest admission rates among older people and young children.

Eligible groups include people aged 65 and over, adults with certain long-term conditions, care home residents, carers, close contacts of immunocompromised individuals, and all health and social care workers. This year, eligibility has been expanded to include people working in or regularly visiting poultry, swine, or cattle units or processing units, as well as people who are rough sleepers or use homeless hostels.

The COVID-19 vaccination programme is planned to start on 8 October. Some eligible people may be offered both vaccines at the same appointment, which the PHA says is safe and effective.

More information is available at nidirect.gov.uk/flu.