COVID-19 Spring Booster Vaccine 2026
The vaccination programme, which will help protect Northern Ireland against deadly viruses, will start on 20 April 2026 and will continue to the end of June.
Eligibility:
- aged 75 and over
- a resident in a care home for older adults
- aged six months to 74 years and immunosuppressed
You can get the COVID-19 vaccine from your Gp Surgery if you are:
- aged 75 and over
- 18 to 74 years old and immunosuppressed
You can get the COVID-19 vaccine from a HSC Trust clinic if you are:
- 6 months to 17 years old and immunosuppressed
- For further information on this group and on how to book an appointment at your local HSC Trust clinic click on the link below:
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) Vaccination is now being offered in Northern Ireland to:
Adults aged 80 years and over
This is in addition to the existing groups who are eligible for RSV vaccination
Residents in care home for older adults
Adults turning 75 years
Adults aged 75 to 79 years when the programme began
Pregnant women (to protect their babies after they are born)
Older adults
People who have not yet received an RSV vaccination and are over the age of 75 will be invited by their GP practice. We urge everyone who is eligible to take up the offer promptly when contacted by their surgery. Residents in care homes and those who are housebound will be offered vaccination from their local HSC Trust vaccination team.
Those who are eligible for both RSV and spring COVID-19 vaccinations may be offered them at the same time by their GP practice once the spring 2026 COVID-19 campaign begins on 20 April 2026, in line with JCVI guidance.
Pregnant women
There is no change to the existing programme for RSV vaccination to pregnant women, who are being offered the vaccine during antenatal appointments with their midwife from 28 weeks into their pregnancy. The timing of the vaccine offer will help protect their newborn babies from serious illness caused by an RSV infection.
View information on the RSV vaccine for adults at
Immunisation and vaccinations | nidirect
The NI childhood immunisation schedule is changing giving even better protection with the introduction of the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.
From January 2026, eligible children will be offered a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) - as part of the routine infant vaccination schedule.
As with other childhood immunisations, parents will be contacted with an appointment if their child is eligible. If you are unsure if your child is up to date with vaccinations the easiest way to check is to look at your child's red book or speak to your health visitor or Gp.
Mental Health - if you need support you can book in with our in house Mental Health Practitioner. Alternatively have a look at the link below for some resources.
Be Kind To Your Mind https://www.northernfsu.co.uk/causewayemotionalhealthandwellbeingguide
Talking really helps campaign newsletter 11_25.pdf
Portrush Medical Centre are proud to support the Lifeline #TalkingReallyHelps campaign.
If you are feeling anxiety, overwhelmed, or in crisis, talking about what’s really going on can make a difference and help is always available. Lifeline is Northern Ireland’s crisis helpline, offering immediate, confidential support.
Sometimes life can get on top of us. But that’s when talking matters most. If you or someone you know is struggling, contact Lifeline-you can pick up the phone and talk to one of Lifeline’s trained counsellors for free, 24/7 on 0808 808 8000. They are there to listen and help at any time, day or night.
Talking really does help - and support is always available.
By sharing this message, we can help more people across Northern Ireland know where to turn for urgent support.
More info: www.lifelinehelpline.info
Patient Access, is now live- This replaces Patient Services.
Patient Access is the quickest and most convenient way to order your repeat medications.
You can access it via Mobile, Tablet or Desktop.
Please head to the Online Services section of our website for more information and to find out how to register.
Within the app you can see when an item was last ordered, quantity received, when next item is due, status of your order request, ie pending approval, approved or if there is a query.
All patients who were registered with the old service will need to register for this new platform - go to the Online Services tab for instructions.
You may have heard about the reimbursement scheme on recent news.
There is an application form for reimbursement and a telephone number.
Should you wish to find out more, please use the link below for further information.
https://online.hscni.net/our-work/travelfortreatment/wl-reimbursement/
Patient Registrations
Patients may have noticed recently their registered GP has changed. This is due to a GP retirement and a new GP Partner. We want to assure you as a patient you are registered to the practice and this does not affect accessing any service the practice provides.
On 1 September 2025, the Northern Ireland Shingles vaccination programme will change to allow all severely immunosuppressed people aged 18 years and over to receive the shingles vaccine. This is an expansion of the current severely immunosuppressed cohort, who until now became eligible from aged 50 years of age. There is now no upper age limit for the severely immunosuppressed cohort of patients.
Severely immunosuppressed individuals who have already received 2 doses of Shingrix® do not need re-vaccination.
Severely immunosuppressed individuals who had received Zostavax® prior to developing immunosuppression should be offered 2 doses of Shingrix®.
The age-based eligibility remains unchanged with individuals becoming eligible if they are aged 65 or 70 on 1 September each year and remaining eligible until their 80th birthday
Further Information: