To ask the Minister of Health to outline any representations he has made to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on the inclusion of the 50-64 age cohort from the commencement of the winter flu vaccination programme in 2025.

Eligible cohorts for the autumn and winter 2025-26 influenza vaccination programme in Northern Ireland are based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). In making its advice, the JCVI conducts a thorough review of the latest data including vaccine effectiveness data from UK influenza disease surveillance to inform expert recommendations.

The influenza vaccination programme aims to provide direct protection to those who JCVI consider are at higher risk of flu-associated morbidity and mortality, and to reduce transmission to all age groups through the vaccination of children.

Whilst JCVI does not recommend influenza vaccination for those aged 50 to 64 years old on a population basis, people aged 50 to 64 years old would be eligible for vaccination if they belong to any of the following groups:

Those who are in a clinical risk group,

Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals,

Carers,

Those who reside in a residential care home,

Health and social care workers, and

High risk poultry and avian animal health workers

The JCVI keeps its advice on seasonal flu vaccination programmes under regular review and publishes this on an annual basis.

My Department will consider any updated advice made by JCVI relating to eligible cohorts for future programmes.