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Access to the Flu Vaccine is to be extended to other age groups and will be made available to anyone aged between 50 and 64.
This extension is in addition to groups already eligible for the flu vaccination. Arrangements are being completed at pace to make the vaccination available through Community Pharmacies, Trust vaccination clinics and GP surgeries. There will be a further update in the coming days.
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."
Over 526,000 influenza vaccinations have already been administered to those eligible for the annual flu vaccination programme across Northern Ireland."
Minister Nesbitt continued “For all those who are eligible, flu vaccination is free and it can be accessed easily from your local pharmacy or Trust vaccination clinic. In addition, some GPs may also still be able to offer the vaccine. Don’t wait any longer to give yourself that protection."
Those eligible for influenza vaccine under the extended programme are:
- 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 1 September 2024;
- all primary and secondary school children (up to and including year 12);
- carers;
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals;
- high risk poultry & avian animal health workers
The benefits of the flu jab in preventing illness and serious associated complications far outweigh any currently known side effects in the majority of patients. The most common side effects of the winter vaccines are mild and get better within a week.
You can find out more about the vaccine at: www.nidirect.gov.uk or by asking your local community pharmacist.
