The Department of Health is reminding people to take the opportunity to be vaccinated as COVID-19 and flu are circulating at high levels in Northern Ireland.
Last month, the DoH saw a significant rise in COVID-19 rates with the latest data indicating that around 1 in 16 people in NI had the virus in the lead up to Christmas.
They added that they have seen an increase in cases of flu to the highest levels since before the COVID-19 pandemic and expect this to persist for a number of weeks.
Read more: NI pharmacies facing shortage of cough and cold medicines
In a statement, a spokesperson for the DoH said: "For the majority of people, flu will be unpleasant but will not lead to serious illness.
"However, it can be dangerous and even life threatening for some people, particularly those with certain health conditions. And it’s important to reduce your risk of getting both illnesses at once, which could make you even more unwell.
"Remember that free flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are still available for all eligible groups and are the best protection against the viruses. It will also help to protect our health service at a time when hospitals are under extreme pressure."
Where to get your vaccine across NI: .
Belfast Trust
RVH vaccine centre
Monday to Friday 8am – 5.30pm
Saturday 10am – 4pm
Sunday 10am – 2pm
Northern Trust
Sun Room, Mid Ulster Hospital, Magherafelt
Friday 13 January 10am – 3pm
Friday 20 January 10am – 3pm
Friday 27 January 10am – 3pm
You can book online or walk-ins are also available.
South Eastern Trust
A number of walk-in appointments are available at the following locations:
One Stop Clinic (Level 1), Ambulatory Care Centre, Ulster Hospital
Saturday 14 January 10.00am – 4.00pm (5+ yrs)
Saturday 21 January 10.00am – 4.00pm (5+ yrs)
Great Hall, Downshire Hospital, Ardglass Road, Downpatrick
Saturday 14 January 10.00am – 3.00pm (5+yrs)
Lisburn Primary and Community Care Centre, Lagan Valley Hospital
Saturday 21 January 10.00am – 3.00pm (5+ yrs)
Southern Trust
Seagoe Parish Centre, Portadown
Thursday 12 January 1.30pm – 4.30pm
The Junction, Dungannon
Sunday 15 January 10.30am - 3pm
Western Trust
Key Workers Accommodation, SWAH
Wednesday 25 January 9am - 4:30pm
Out Patients Clinic. Omagh Hospital & Primary Care Complex
Friday 13 January 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 27 January 9am - 4:30pm
Level 5 Altnagelvin
Tuesday 17 January 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 24 January 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 31 January 9am - 4:30pm
Who is eligible for each vaccine?
Eligible groups for flu vaccine in 2022 to 2023 are:
- Those aged 50 years and over (by 31 March 2023)
- Those aged 6 months to 2 years, and 16 to 49 years in clinical risk groups
- Pregnant women
- All preschool children aged 2 or over on 1 September 2022
- All primary and secondary (up to year 12) school children
- Those in long-stay residential care homes
- Carers
- Household contact of immunosuppressed individuals
- Frontline health and social care workers.
Eligible groups for COVID-19 vaccine in 2022 to 2023 are:
- All adults aged 50 and over (by 31 March 2023)
- Those aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group
- Pregnant women
- Residents in a care home for older adults, and staff working in care homes for older adults
- Those aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
- Those aged 16 to 49 years who are carers
- Frontline health and social care workers.
You can find out which HSC Trust clinics and community pharmacies are offering vaccinations near you here or alternatively, see upcoming sessions in your local Trust areas here.
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