Fall into wellness this autumn with a Covid and Flu vaccination

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has launched its Autumn Vaccination Programme for COVID-19 & 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

The Trust’s District Nursing Team will administer vaccines to patients who are housebound due to their medical condition.

Those who are 65 years and over and those who are 16 years old and over who are immunosuppressed, clinically vulnerable, household contacts of those immuno-suppressed and known carers will be called by their GP to attend for vaccination.

Those eligible to receive their vaccines at a Trust Vaccination Centre include the following groups:

1.                  Frontline Health and Social Care Workers

2.                  Pregnant women (both Covid-19 and Flu vaccinations)

3.                  Those aged 5 – 15 years and  identified in clinical at risk groups (Covid-19 vaccination only)

4.                  Those aged 6 months to 4 years in clinical at risk groups identified by their Paediatrician (Covid-19 vaccination only)

5.                  Those aged 12-15 years identified as household contacts who are part of an immuno-suppressed household (Covid-19 vaccination only)

Online booking is available at the following link – https://vaccinations.covid-19.hscni.net/booking​

A number of walk-in appointments are also available at the following locations:

Ulster Hospital, Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald.

Monday 16 October 2023, 8.30 am – 4.30 pm (12 + years)

Wednesday 18 October 2023, 8.30 am – 6.00 pm (12+ years)

Friday 20 October 2023, 8.30 am – 4.30 pm (5+ years)

Lisburn Primary and Community Care Centre, Lagan Valley Hospital, 39 Hillsborough Road, Lisburn

Friday 20 October 2023, 8.30 am – 6.00 pm (5+ years)

 Great Hall, Downshire Hospital, Ardglass Road, Downpatrick.

Saturday 21 October 2023, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm (5+ years)

Paediatric Clinics for children aged 5-11 years will be available on Fridays only in the Ulster Hospital and Lisburn Primary & Community Care Centre and on Saturdays in the Great Hall, Downshire Hospital, Downpatrick.

Those attending the vaccination clinics MUST provide Photo ID

Those attending who are aged between 5-15 MUST be accompanied by an adult.

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Vaccination is the best defence against COVID-19 variants says PHA

Following publication of the latest data in the COVID-19 Epidemiological Bulletin, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone that vaccination remains the best defence against emerging variants.

The variant BA.2.86 continues to spread in the UK.

Cases are identified in most regions, and the latest data (6 October) from the PHA show a small number of cases provisionally identified in Northern Ireland.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported that the early indications are that BA.2.86 is no more likely to evade existing antibodies than XBB.1.5, another variant that has been circulating widely in the UK.

The situation continues to be kept under review, as more data becomes available nationally and internationally.

Dr Declan Bradley, Deputy Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, is constantly evolving, with new variants arising frequently.

“Although only a small number of cases of BA.2.86 have been provisionally identified through genomic sequencing, it is likely that there have been more cases in the community already, as only a limited number of people who have COVID-19 get tested.

“However, evidence to date does not indicate that BA.2.86 causes more serious disease or is more easily spread than other recent variants that have been in circulation.

“Nevertheless, this is another reminder that the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to change and that vaccination remains a vital defence against it.”

Following the identification of the new COVID-19 variant, the PHA took the precautionary decision, in line with the rest of the UK, to bring forward the start date of this year’s autumn flu and COVID-19 vaccination programmes to 18 September 2023.

Rachel Spiers, Immunisation and Vaccination Programme Manager at the PHA, said: “The vaccination programme began last month here in Northern Ireland.

“Vaccines are the best defence against COVID-19 and flu. They provide good protection against hospitalisation and death.

“If you’re eligible for vaccination you should take up the offer as soon as you are invited.”

People who are eligible for vaccination should make themselves aware of their own GP surgery’s, community pharmacist’s or trust’s vaccination arrangements.

Some people may be offered the flu jab and COVID-19 vaccine at the same appointment. It is safe and effective to receive it in this way.

Everyone should be mindful of the steps they can take to reduce the spread of winter illnesses.

In addition to getting vaccinated if you are eligible, if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, you are advised to avoid coming into unnecessary contact with other people to reduce your risk of infecting them.

‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ by carrying tissues, using them to catch a cough or sneeze, and disposing of them immediately.

Then wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water and use hand sanitiser.