Mission: To make health a top priority for everyone in Northern Ireland.

Objectives:

• To inform people of the changes to the BCG vaccine policy.
• To provide information and increase knowledge of the BCG vaccine.
• To help answer parents’ questions about the BCG vaccine.
• To raise awareness of the dangers and symptoms of TB.
• To provide concise yet comprehensive information on TB and the BCG vaccine for health professionals.
   

Background:
The HPA was commissioned by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) to promote and support the changes to BCG immunisation policy; the vaccination is no longer given routinely at age 14 but to babies and older people deemed to be at risk of infection.

The campaign:
The HPA provided support for the campaign through the production of a range of information materials for professionals and the public.

An information leaflet, BCG and your baby – protecting babies against TB, was produced for parents of at-risk children. Another leaflet, Tuberculosis – the disease, its treatment and prevention, was also produced to raise awareness of the dangers and symptoms of TB. A factsheet for health professionals was also produced. These resources were distributed to GPs, health visitors and other health professionals throughout Northern Ireland.

PDF files of the leaflets in English and of nine translations into minority ethnic/regional languages are also available from the DHSSPS website on www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/phealth