SunSmart campaign 2024 – launches today

This year’s SunSmart campaign officially launches today, 24 May. SunSmart is run by the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), in collaboration with Healthy Ireland, and works to support people to reduce their risk of skin cancer by protecting their skin from the sun.

Whether you’re at home or abroad you can protect your skin by following the 5 SunSmart steps:

• Slip on long loose clothing
• Slop on the sunscreen
• Slap on a wide-brimmed hat
• Seek shade even when it’s cloudy
• Slide on sunglasses

Radio and digital audio ads are running until the end of August. You can listen to the English and Irish versions of the ad on the HSE Soundcloud page here. Out-Of-Home (OOH) ads will run on Dublin Bus and Dart from the 3 June to 14 July. Social media ads have also been running since the start of April and will continue throughout the summer.

A campaign pack with promotional content and key messages to help you support the campaign is at the bottom of this email.

You can also find more information on the HSE SunSmart page.

Know where to find your nearest HSE Injury Unit

During the warmer months of the year, we are more likely to spend time doing outdoor activities. However, with more people playing sports and going on hikes, there are inevitably more injuries so it is good to familiarise yourself with your nearest HSE Injury Unit.

Injury units treat injuries that are not life-threatening such as sprains, breaks, dislocations and minor burns. You will receive the same level of clinical care that you would get in an Emergency Department. Find information about your nearest injury unit here.

COVID-19 spring booster vaccine

The spring booster vaccine is recommended for:

• People aged 80 years or older
• People aged 5 or older with a weak immune system
• Adults living in older persons facilities

People aged 70 to 79 years may also request a vaccine following a discussion with their healthcare provider. Children aged 5-12 years with a weak immune system must go to a walk-in clinic for their vaccine. Find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic here.

Getting a spring booster will top up your immunity against COVID-19 and help protect you from serious illness for the months ahead.

Spring boosters are available from participating GPs and pharmacies.

For more information about the COVID-19 spring booster vaccine, visit the HSE website.

MMR vaccines through the HSE’s catch-up programme

The HSE is offering a free MMR vaccine catch-up programme, starting with children and adults aged 24 and under. The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella

The MMR catch-up programme aims to encourage people who may have missed their MMR vaccine to get vaccinated, reducing the risk of measles outbreaks in Ireland.

If you missed your MMR vaccine, visit the HSE website for more information and where to get a vaccine.

HSE Healthy Weight for Children webinar

You are invited to the HSE Healthy Weight for Children webinar on Wednesday, 19 June 11am to 12.30pm. This virtual event will update the audience on the latest weight trends in primary school children, include a panel discussion on how to support parents to talk to their children about their health and weight, and an update on the latest Healthy Weight for Children Action Plan.

Join us to hear more about:

• Findings from the Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI)
• How to support parents to talk to their children about health and weight
• The development of the Healthy Weight for Children Action Plan 2024-2028

If you are a healthcare professional, researcher or policymaker in child health, please register for this webinar here.

Men’s Health Week webinar

Join us at the start of Men’s Health Week on Monday 10 June, 11.30am to 12.30pm, for an uplifting webinar with special guest Rob Kearney. Other speakers include Dr. Alan Smith from the HSE National Screening Service and Dr. Noel Richardson from the National Centre for Men’s Health in SETU.

The theme for Men’s Health Week this year is ‘Know Your Numbers’ so we will be highlighted some important numbers and statistics for men’s health. Please share this invite with the men in your life, with the men in your service, or with anyone you know working with or seeking to work with men.

You can register here.

HSE Talking Health & Wellbeing Podcast: Managing exam stress

Listen to episode 58 of the HSE Talking Health and Wellbeing Podcast as host Noreen Turley speaks with Dr. Ciaran Boylan about strategies for managing exam stress. They discuss how to recognise stress in young people, especially during exam times, and offer advice to parents and guardians on how to provide both practical and emotional support.

Listen and share wherever you get your Podcasts or watch on the HSE Health and Wellbeing YouTube channel.

COVID-19

For information and advice, please go to https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/ and https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/. Clinical and professional guidance relating to COVID-19 is available on www.hpsc.ie.

Health service information for Ukrainian nationals

• Updated mental health supports information is here
• Disability services information is here
• Healthcare services information is here
• COVID-19 information is here
• COVID-19 vaccination video, Dr Oksana Kozdoba, a Pediatrician from Ukraine, shares information about the vaccination programme in Ireland. She covers the vaccines offered in Ireland to protect babies, school children and adults.