South Eastern HSC Trust isays people need to get their vaccination jab to prevent harmful illnesses spreading this winter
The South Eastern HSC Trust has prepared for vaccination programmes for a wide range of illnesses from flu, Covid, RSV and whooping cough.
The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has now launched its Autumn Vaccination Programme for COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations.
There are a number of vaccination sites across the Trust area:
1. Vaccination Centre, Ulster Hospital, Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald (enter via the front hospital entrance and follow signs)
2. Lisburn Primary and Community Care Centre, (LPCCC), Lagan Valley Hospital, 39 Hillsborough Road, Lisburn
3. Great Hall, Downshire Hospital, Ardglass Road, Downpatrick
Flu vaccinations will be available to:
· All Health and Social Care staff
· All those aged 65 and over
· Those in clinical risk groups aged 16-64
· Pregnant women
· Carers and close contacts of those who are immuno-suppressed.
COVID-19 vaccinations will be available to:
· Frontline HSC workers
· All those aged 65 and over
· Those in clinical risk groups aged 5-64. Those aged 5-11 will require a letter from their GP
· Pregnant women
COVID-19 vaccinations will be available to five to 11-year-olds at the Ulster Hospital site on Thursdays, Lisburn Primary and Community Centre on a Friday and The Great Hall in Downshire Hospital on a Saturday. A written consent form must be presented from their GP and they must have a parent or guardian present.
A number of walk-in appointments are also available at the following locations from:
Monday 30 December 2024
Downe Hospital, Atrium (1pm-3.30pm)
12yr+ Covid vaccination
16yr+ Flu vaccination
Thursday 2 January 2025
Ulster Hospital Vaccination Centre – (10am-4pm)
16yr + Flu vaccination
5yr+ Covid vaccination
Friday 3 January 2025
Lisburn PCCC, Lagan Valley Hospital site, 9.15am-4.30pm
16yr + Flu vaccination
5yr+ Covid vaccination.
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RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV) VACCINATION CLINICS AVAILABLE ACROSS SOUTH EASTERN TRUST AREA
As the new life-saving Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programme, aimed at protecting newborns and older adults launches in Northern Ireland, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging those eligible to get vaccinated when invited.
RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system, particularly in young children and older adults.
RSV infections often lead to mild cold-like symptoms, but in some cases, especially in infants and individuals with compromised immune systems, it can cause severe respiratory issues and hospitalisation.
From the 1 September 2024 to help protect newborns and infants, pregnant women are being offered the vaccine from 28 weeks into their pregnancy. Adults aged from 75 to 79 years of age will also be offered the RSV vaccination.
RSV vaccine clinics will run at the following sites:
Monday 30 December 2024
Downe Hospital, Maternity Hub 9:15am – 12:30pm. Covid and Flu vaccination will also be offered to pregnant women at this clinic.
Tuesday 31 December 2024
Lagan Valley Hospital, Maternity Unit 1pm – 4.30pm
Ards Maternity Hub, Ards Hospital 9:00 – 12:30pm
Thursday 2 January 2025
Ulster Hospital Maternity Unit 9:00am –12:30pm. Covid and Flu vaccination will also be offered to pregnant women at this clinic.
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Whooping Cough Clinics Available Across the South Eastern HSC Trust Area
Whopping Cough (Pertussis) vaccination clinics are now available across the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust area making the vaccine more accessible to pregnant women.
This initiative comes in response to a significant increase in whooping cough cases across Northern Ireland. There have been 1,788 confirmed cases of Whooping Cough so far this year in Northern Ireland compared with just two between 2021 and 2023.
Whooping Cough is a highly contagious and sometimes serious bacterial infection, which can make babies and young children in particular very ill. Â
This increase highlights the need for enhanced vaccination efforts to protect vulnerable populations, particularly babies and young children.
Women can receive the vaccine from 16 weeks of pregnancy, with the ideal window being between 20 and 32 weeks. However, the vaccine remains beneficial even if administered later in pregnancy.
Pregnant women are encouraged to speak to their midwives to learn more about the vaccination process and its benefits.
In addition to the Whooping Cough vaccination at antenatal clinics, the vaccine is a key component of the childhood vaccination programme. It is administered to children at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age and again at three years and four months. Parents who are unsure if their child is up to date with vaccinations should check their child’s red book or consult with their Health Visitor or GP practice.
The vaccine will continue to be available through GP practices as well.
Clinics will take place at the following locations. Please note that no booking is required. Please bring your antenatal notes with you.
Monday 30 December 2024
Maternity Hub, Downe Hospital – (9.15 am – 12.30 pm)
Tuesday 31 December 2024
Maternity Hub, Ards Hospital – (9.00 am – 12:30pm)
Maternity Unit, Lagan Valley Hospital – (1pm – 4.30 pm)
Thursday 2 January 2024
Maternity Unit, Ulster Hospital – (9.00 am – 12.30 pm)
Parents should be alert to the signs and symptoms of whooping cough, which include severe coughing fits accompanied by the characteristic ‘whoop’ sound in young children, and by a prolonged cough in older children or adults. It is also advisable to keep babies away from anyone showing the signs or symptoms of whooping cough.
Whooping cough can spread very easily. It is best to call your GP practice or GP Out of Hours service before you go in person. This will help to reduce it spreading to others. In an emergency, dial 999.
