Winter vaccinations in the Northern Trust
Flu, COVID-19, RSV and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccinations are available for all those who are eligible at our vaccination clinics in December.
Clinics will be held on a weekly basis as follows:
- Monday, 10am–1pm, Braid Valley Hospital, syndicate room one, training suite;
- Monday, 2pm – 4.30pm, Mid-Ulster Hospital, vaccination office (first floor);
- Tuesday, 10am – 1pm, Causeway Hospital, canteen;
- Wednesday, 10am – 1pm, Antrim Area Hospital, outpatients department four, Level A;
- Friday, 10am – 1pm, Whiteabbey Hospital, midwifery hub.
Please note, there will be no vaccination clinics from Thursday 25 December until Friday 2 January, inclusive.
Clinics will resume on Monday 5 January 2026.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone that respiratory illnesses such as flu, COVID-19 and RSV can be serious, even for some healthy people.
Last year 862 children and young people, and 3158 people adults, were hospitalised with influenza in Northern Ireland. Of those, 2922 were as an emergency hospital admission.
Already this year, we are seeing an early increase in flu levels which is a reminder of the importance of vaccination.
Flu vaccine eligibility
- all adults aged 65 years and over;
- people aged six months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as laid out in the Immunisation Green Book influenza chapter (Green Book);
- pregnant women;
- residents and staff in care homes;
- all health and social care workers;
- all preschool children aged two to four years on 1 September 2025;
- all primary and secondary school children (up to and including year 12);
- carers;
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals.
COVID-19 vaccination eligibility
- adults aged 75 years and over;
- residents in care homes for older adults;
- individuals who are immunosuppressed, aged 6 months and over.
The vaccine should usually be offered no earlier than around six months after the last vaccine dose. Those who are eligible can get protection from vaccination this time round even if they have not taken up a COVID-19 vaccine offer in the past.
Having flu and COVID-19 at the same time can be very serious for people who are immunosuppressed. The COVID-19 vaccines have good safety records and are effective. It gives those at highest risk of serious disease the best protection against COVID-19.
RSV vaccine
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. Last year 511 infants under the age of one were hospitalised with RSV.
The RSV vaccination was introduced to help protect newborns and infants through the vaccination of pregnant women from 28 weeks into their pregnancy. Adults are also offered the RSV vaccination once they turn 75.
The RSV vaccine is available all year round, so it’s not just a winter vaccine.
Respiratory hygiene
In addition to eligible people getting vaccinated, everyone has a part to play in staying well this winter:
- ‘Catch it, bin it, kill it’ – carry tissues and use them to catch coughs or sneezes, then bin the tissue;
- Wash your hands – regularly wash your hands throughout the day and hands should always be washed before eating or drinking and after using the toilet;
- Rest up – know when to stay home to stop the spread. If you have a high temperature stay home until you feel better or if you have diarrhoea and/or vomiting, you should stay home for at least 48 hours after the last episode;
- Speak to your pharmacist about over-the-counter remedies and remember antibiotics don’t work on viruses.
Further details about the winter vaccination programme
Information about the RSV vaccine for pregnant women
Information about the RSV vaccine for adults
1st October 2025
