Over a million people are eligible for this year’s free flu vaccine, as the Public Health Agency (PHA) launches the vaccination programme with a call for people to help protect themselves and others this winter.

Dr. Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “Flu is far worse than a bad cold and can cause serious complications, in some cases leading to hospitalisation or death."

You can get the flu vaccination for free if you:

are pregnant
are aged 65 and over on March 31, 2027, even if you feel fit and healthy
live in a residential or nursing home
have an illness or underlying health condition (including children from six months of age).

Over a million people are eligible for this year’s free flu vaccine, as the Public Health Agency (PHA) launches the vaccination programme with a call for people to help protect themselves and others this winter.

placeholder image — Over a million people are eligible for this year’s free flu vaccine, as the Public Health Agency (PHA) launches the vaccination programme with a call for people to help protect themselves and others this winter.

High risk animal health workers may also be at risk. The flu vaccination programme now includes those who:

undertake culling or cleaning at confirmed zoonotic influenza outbreak premises, or handle live unwell animals
work at, or regularly visit a DAERA-registered cattle, poultry or swine farming unit and are directly exposed to faeces/ litter, such as through initial egg sorting or cleaning of premises
work at, or regularly visit a DAERA-registered cattle, poultry or swine processing unit, such as a slaughterhouse, abattoir or meat-processing facility, and are directly exposed to faeces/ litter such as through initial egg sorting or cleaning of premises
undertake the collection of wild bird carcasses where avian influenza is suspected.

The annual flu vaccination programme also includes:

all preschool children aged two to four years on 1 September
all primary and secondary school children (up to and including year 12)
all health and social care (HSC) workers
staff in independent care homes, hospices and domiciliary care providers
close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
rough sleepers and homeless hostel users.

Throughout October and November, the Public Health Agency, in collaboration with community pharmacies and the Department of health is running the “Stay Well This Winter” campaign to help people prepare for the winter months.

Through the Living Well service, people can call in to their local pharmacy to find out more information on how to help protect their health with advice on vaccinations, staying warm this winter, hand hygiene, and over-the-counter remedies for simple illnesses that don’t require antibiotics.

Find out more at www.pha.site/Staywellthiswinter