Vaccinations give us the best defence against winter viruses: Nesbitt

Date published: 2 December 2024

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “Vaccination offers the best defence for individuals who may suffer more serious illness or hospitalisation as a result of viruses that we can catch more frequently in winter. As well as protecting individuals, vaccination protects our families and our communities, it also gives protection to health services which face added pressures in the winter months.

“Winter viruses impact those who fall ill when they contract infection, the health services that provide care and treatment, and the wider health and social care system.

“This year, a new vaccination programme to protect against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is being offered to certain vulnerable groups, in addition to our programmes to protect against COVID-19 and influenza. We know that RSV has a significant impact on our health service each winter and that it is our young children and infants and older people who are most at risk from this infection.

“I would again strongly urge all eligible groups to avail of the vaccinations offered free of charge as part of this year’s winter vaccination programmes, and I appeal to parents and carers of our youngest and oldest citizens to ensure your loved ones are protected.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all HSC staff, including those in the frontline and those who provide support services, who are working so hard to deliver care over the challenging winter period. We appreciate you and we want you to be able to continue your essential work. Please take up the opportunity to protect yourself as you care for others by taking the time to receive vaccinations that you are eligible for.”

Deputy Chief Medical Officer. Professor Lourda Geoghegan said: “COVID-19 hasn’t gone away and, coupled with influenza, it continues to pose a real health threat for vulnerable members of our community. Vaccines have been proven to be the most effective way to reduce the risk to these groups.

“This year has also seen the roll out of a new vaccination programme aimed at protecting newborns and older adults against the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and its complications.

“I would encourage all who are offered vaccinations for influenza, Covid-19 or RSV to avail of them.”

Dr Joanne McClean, Director of Public Health at the PHA said: “Vaccines are safe, effective and free for all those in the eligible groups.

“If you are ‘at risk’, either due to older age, a health condition, medical treatment or are pregnant, you are at increased risk of becoming seriously unwell from one of these infections this winter; and getting eligible children vaccinated is the first line of defence against viruses such as ‘Flu, which can spread easily, particularly when we spend more time indoors.

“Everyone in an eligible group should make themselves aware of the arrangements in place to be vaccinated - this may be through their own GP, community pharmacies or trust vaccination centres. With Christmas nearly upon us now is the time to act.”

If you or your child are eligible for a vaccination and have not received an invitation, or you have missed a vaccination offered by your GP or school, you can contact your GP, a participating community pharmacy or HSC Trust vaccination clinic to arrange a vaccination.

More information on the vaccines available and how to get vaccinated can be found at :

www.nidirect.gov.uk/wintervaccines

www.nidirect.gov.uk/immunisation-vaccines

COVID-19 booster vaccine eligible groups:

• residents in a care home for older adults
• all adults aged 65 years and over
• persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book
• frontline health and social care workers

Influenza vaccine eligible groups

Those eligible for influenza vaccination this winter are;

• all preschool children aged two to four years on 1 September 2024
• all school-aged children (up to and including year 12)
• those aged six months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the influenza chapter in ‘Immunisation against infectious disease’ (the ‘Green Book’))
• all those aged 65 years and over on 31 March 2025
• pregnant women
• those in long-stay residential care homes
• carers
• close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• all health and social care workers

Respiratory Syncytial Virus eligible groups

Older Adult Programme

• All adults turning 75 years of age on or after 1 September 2024 (born on or after 1 September 1949) should be offered RSV vaccination on or shortly after their 75th birthday. This is a year-round, ongoing programme.
• Catch-up cohort
• Individuals aged 75 years old to 79 years old on the 1 September 2024 are eligible as part of the catch-up campaign. These individuals remain eligible until the day before turning 80 years of age with the exception of those who turn 80 within the first year of the programme, who are eligible until 31 August 2025.

Programme for Pregnant Women for Infant Protection

• A routine programme for pregnant women will be offered as a single dose of RSV vaccine to all women from 28 weeks gestation. Vaccine is recommended in each pregnancy. Speak to your midwife if you have not yet been offered the vaccine.