Health

Health

CLAIM: If you’ve had two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and you haven’t had a booster jab, then you have a 50/50 chance of ending up in hospital if you catch Omicron.

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INACCURATE

Data published by the UK Health Security Agency at the time of the claim suggested that with two doses, vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation due to

Health

CLAIM: Northern Ireland has the highest number of children in care since the introduction of the Children Order in 1995.

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In January 2022, 3,566 children in Northern Ireland were recorded as being in care, which is the highest recorded figure since 1995, according to Department

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Health

This article explains how to learn guidance and regulations of the use of face coverings in Northern Ireland and explores some of the available evidence regarding their use. 

What is the guidance on face coverings in Northern Ireland? The Northern Ireland Executive announced that the use of face coverings in certain indoor settings

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Health

Explaining seasonal flu, measuring outbreaks, and understanding excess winter mortality.

“Seasonal flu” is a very common illness, and tends to be more severe than the common cold. The most common symptoms are a sudden high

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Health

What are excess deaths, how is COVID-19 affecting them, and how does Northern Ireland compare to the rest of the world?

There has been a lot of discussion in relation to “excess deaths” and COVID-19. This term is not specific to this pandemic and has been

Health

CLAIM: Vegans cannot take COVID-19 vaccines because they contain animal products.

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INACCURATE

The claim is not accurate. No COVID-19 vaccine currently in use contains animal products.  Context On The Nolan Show (30/11/2021 from 10.21) a caller claimed

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Law

CLAIM: Northern Ireland is the only part of Europe that does not have climate change legislation.

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ACCURATE WITH CONSIDERATION

The Northern Ireland Assembly has not yet passed its own legislation, unlike the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly. However, there is UK climate-related legislation

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Peace

EXPLAINER: Comparing how deaths by suicide are measured across the UK and Ireland

During the pandemic, there have been claims that the number of deaths by suicide has increased, reflecting the acknowledged mental strain experienced by many. FactCheckNI

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Health

EXPLAINER: How do COVID-19 vaccines impact fertility and pregnancy?

The issue of how COVID-19 vaccines may impact fertility and/or pregnancy continues to be live. Health Minister Robin Swann told the Stormont health committee on

Health

CLAIM: A quarter of Northern Ireland’s population that is unvaccinated for COVID-19 is unlikely to ever get the vaccine.

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ACCURATE WITH CONSIDERATION

A survey by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) reported that 24% of respondents who had not been vaccinated said that they were

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News

A number of leaflets about COVID-19 vaccines and their safety have been circulating in Northern Ireland. FactCheckNI has previously fact checked many of these claims.

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Health

Explaining how guidance regarding vaccination against COVID-19 during pregnancy has changed as new research and evidence has emerged

On 16 April 2021, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advised that all pregnant people should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine at the same