Northern Trust flu vaccine clinics begin this week with Ballymena walk-in every Monday
Northern Trust dietitian Erin Turner
Sunday 04 October 2026
People eligible for a free flu vaccine can attend walk-in clinics across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area from Monday 5 October, including a weekly clinic at Braid Valley Hospital in Ballymena.
The Trust is encouraging those eligible to take up the vaccine as winter approaches, warning that while flu is a common infection, it can spread easily and leave some people seriously unwell.
Vaccination remains the best way to help protect against flu and reduce the risk of serious illness.
Ballymena clinic every Monday
The Ballymena walk-in clinic will run each Monday from 10am until 1pm at Braid Valley Hospital, in Syndicate Room 1 of the Training Suite.
Other weekly walk-in clinics will be available in Magherafelt, Coleraine, Antrim and Newtownabbey.
Where and when to get vaccinated
• Monday, 10am–1pm — Braid Valley Hospital, Ballymena, Syndicate Room 1, Training Suite
• Monday, 2pm–4.30pm — Mid-Ulster Hospital, Magherafelt, Vaccination Office, First Floor
• Tuesday, 10am–1pm — Causeway Hospital, Coleraine, Girona Restaurant
• Wednesday, 10am–1pm — Outpatient Department 4, Level A, Antrim Area Hospital
• Friday, 10am–2pm — Whiteabbey Hospital, Newtownabbey, Maternity Outpatient Department
Who can get the vaccine free
The free flu vaccine is available to people who:
• are pregnant
• are aged 65 or over
• live in a residential or nursing home
• are a carer
• have a health condition that increases their risk of serious illness from flu
Protecting vulnerable patients
Northern Trust dietitian Erin Turner, who works with some of the Trust’s most vulnerable patients, said she sees first-hand the impact flu can have both on individuals and hospital services.
She said:
“I get my vaccination every year and I encourage everyone else to do so as well. I work in the hospital on the wards, with some of the most vulnerable people.
“I see how the flu can really affect the wards and our patients, delaying their discharge and making them even sicker. I encourage everyone to get the vaccine to prevent that and keep everyone safe.”
People are also being encouraged to practise good hand hygiene and stay at home when unwell to help prevent respiratory infections spreading.
School vaccination programme preparing to begin
Alongside the public clinics, Northern Trust School Nursing Teams are preparing for the school-based flu vaccination programme, which will offer the nasal spray vaccine to children from Primary One through to Year 12.
Parents and carers are being asked to look out for a flu consent form coming home in their child’s school bag and return it to the school as soon as possible — even if they do not want their child to receive the vaccination.
Further information about flu symptoms, vaccine eligibility, clinics and advice on staying well this winter is available at www.northerntrust.hscni.net/looking-after-your-health/protect-yourself-from-flu/
The Trust says vaccination can help protect individuals from becoming seriously ill while also reducing the impact of flu on vulnerable patients and health services during the winter months.
