With spring just around the corner the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding pregnant women about the risk of close contact with sheep during lambing season. The PHA is advising women who are, or think they may be, pregnant to reduce their risk of miscarriage and infection by avoiding close contact with sheep during lambing season, which runs from January until around the end of April. Dr Gillian Armstrong, Interim Head of Health Protection at the PHA, said: “Pregnant women who come into close contact with sheep during lambing may be risking their own health and that of their unborn child

A new online platform has been launched to help support communities following a sudden death that is a suspected suicide. Comkit is supported by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and has been developed with Urban Scale Interventions (USI) in partnership with Families’ Voices Forum as well as community and voluntary groups who are members of local Protect Life Implementation Groups (PLIGS) from five health and social care trusts. The platform is customised for use by family, friends, neighbours, media, political representatives and community organisations. It uses a number of example scenarios and

Nuvaxovid, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Novavax, has been give n regulatory approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). It becomes the fifth COVID-19 vaccine authorised by the UK’s independent medicines regulator. In reaching its decision, the MHRA considered the results of 2 large clinical trials involving nearly 50,000 participants. In Northern Ireland almost 500 participants from across the region volunteered to take part in the clinical trial which was led by researchers Professor Danny McAuley, Professor Judy Bradley and Dr Johnny Stewart from Queen’s

From 2023, adults in Northern Ireland will be considered potential organ donors unless they choose to opt out or are in an excluded group. The Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill, which passed the final stage of consideration in the Assembly today, will be known as ‘Dáithí’s Law’ in recognition of five-year-old Dáithí Mac Gabhann. Dáithí has been on the waiting list for a heart transplant since 2018. During this time his family have worked tirelessly to campaign for a move towards soft opt-out law and to promote organ donation. Welcoming the landmark law change, Health Minister

HSBC UK has become the newest member of the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ scheme, highlighting their commitment to supporting breastfeeding mums. The scheme is an initiative that aims to make it easier for mums to recognise places where they can breastfeed their baby when they are out and about. All five regional branches of HSBC UK have joined a network of ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ 800-plus venues that include many cafes, shops, council facilities, universities, tourist attractions and other businesses across Northern Ireland, and in doing so have agreed that

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging parents not to put off getting their child vaccinated against childhood illnesses such as measles, mumps and rubella. Many childhood diseases that were common in the UK prior to the introduction of vaccination have been dramatically reduced or have disappeared altogether. However, once a disease fades from prominence, it is easy to forget how serious it can be. Unfortunately, unless vaccine uptake remains high in Northern Ireland, many of these deadly diseases will return from parts of the world where they still occur. The MMR (measles, mumps and

Now that the school-based COVID-19 vaccination programme has ended, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding those aged between 12 and 17 who have not yet received a first dose or are waiting on a second dose, that they can make arrangements to do so through Trust vaccination hubs. Dr Jillian Johnston, Joint Interim Assistant Director in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “The school-based programme is now complete and from now on any further first or second doses for this age group will be administered at the Trust hubs. “We are urging young people to make time over the half-term holidays

This Sexual Health Week (7-11 February) the Public Health Agency (PHA), along with the Sexual Health Improvement Network (SHIN), is urging everyone to talk openly about relationships and sex with their partners, friends and children to normalise how we view these issues. The theme for this year’s Sexual Health Week is ‘Let’s Talk SEX’ because looking after your sexual health can have a positive impact on both your mental and physical wellbeing. Barbara Porter, Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “ Sexual relationships should always be consensual, and enjoying that

Today, on World Cancer Day (4 February), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting the signs and symptoms of cancer and encouraging people to seek medical advice from their GP if they are concerned. “During the COVID-19 pandemic people may have concerns about a change in their body, but might be hesitant in contacting their doctor,” said Dr Louise Herron, Consultant in Public Health at the PHA. “The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chances of survival, as treatments are more likely to be successful. It is important not to delay if you develop a sign or symptom which has the