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  • NI’s Chief Professional Officers encourage staff to get vaccinated

    Date published: 24 November 2025

    We recognise that the Health and Social Care (HSC) system face pressures all year,
    however it is undoubtedly more severe in the winter months

    As Chief Professional Officers, we acknowledge the individual and collective role that all health and social care staff have in providing safe and effective care. During this autumn’s programme, the offer of a free flu vaccination includes all health and social care staff across statutory and non-statutory sectors. This includes nonclinical ancillary staff who may have social contact with patients but are not directly involved in patient care. This winter's flu vaccine remains our best protection against all strains of flu and will help avoid disruption to HSC services due to staff illness. Health and social care workers can access vaccination from trust clinics or from over 300 community pharmacies located across Northern Ireland. Care home staff can also receive vaccination at their place of employment when a community pharmacy vaccination team visit the care home. Full information on eligibility and how to obtain vaccination is available here. A whole system response to Winter involves everyone working closely together across acute settings, primary and community health, the independent and the voluntary and community sector. Thank you for all that you do, in delivering high quality care across all health and social care settings in Northern Ireland. The work you do, often in challenging circumstances, is the cornerstone of our health service. Whether you're working on the front line, supporting colleagues behind the scenes, or working to improve how we deliver care, your contribution is valued and appreciated. 

    Professor Sir Michael McBride 

    Chief Medical Officer Professor 

    Maria McIlgorm 

    Chief Nursing Officer 

    Aine Morrison 

    Chief Social Worker 

    Professor Cathy Harrison 

    Chief Pharmaceutical Officer 

    Professor Ian Young 

    Chief Scientific Adviser 

    Professor Michelle Tennyson 

    Chief Allied Health Professions Officer 

    Caroline Lappin 

    Chief Dental Officer 

    Caroline Keown 

    Chief Midwifery Officer 

    Professor Nichola Rooney 

    Chief Psychological Professions Officer 

    Kathryn Baker 

    Chief Environmental Health Officer

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