PEOPLE AT RISK OF SWINE FLU COMPLICATIONS URGED TO HAVE FREE VACCINATION THIS MONTH

Pregnant women, very overweight people, children aged under five (on the advice of their doctor) and people with long term medical conditions are urged to have a free seasonal influenza vaccination, which includes protection against pandemic influenza (swine flu), this month.  This is because these groups of people are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill with pandemic influenza.

The northern hemisphere experience suggests that the influenza season will arrive as early as late March or early April in New Zealand this year and pandemic influenza or swine flu is predicted to initially be the main strain. This year’s vaccine protects against three strains of influenza - the H1N1 pandemic influenza and two other strains
of influenza that are also expected to be circulating this winter.

Medical Officer of Health Dr Alistair Humphrey says people at risk of serious complications from influenza should aim to have the free seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible as it takes up to two weeks following immunisation to develop immunity against the viruses.

While most people who had swine flu last year experienced a mild dose, some people were severely affected. People who were more likely to be severely affected included pregnant women, very overweight people, people (including children) with long term conditions such as asthma, other long term respiratory conditions, diabetes and heart disease, and also young children in high deprivation areas.

People over 65 years who are otherwise well are encouraged to have their seasonal flu vaccine in April because they have a higher risk of complications from other strains of influenza. Other people who do not fit into one of the at-risk groups can also wait until April for their seasonal flu vaccine. By then, more seasonal vaccine will be in
GP surgeries.

Health workers too are being encouraged to have the seasonal influenza vaccination, to prevent them from getting sick and from spreading influenza to their vulnerable patients.  The Ministry of Health made another pandemic-specific vaccine available to health workers in February.

More than 3500 frontline health workers at the Canterbury District Health Board have received their first dose and further clinics are currently being held so staff can receive their booster dose. A further 3000 health workers in the community were vaccinated in February. “Health workers’ response has been truly outstanding,” Dr Humphrey said. “This shows they are not taking any chances with pandemic influenza this year.”

Other ways to protect against influenza include:

• Washing and drying your hands thoroughly (20 seconds washing and 20
  seconds drying)
• Staying away from school or work if you are unwell.
• Covering your coughs and sneezes.

For more information about influenza, see your General Practice, www.moh.govt.nz, txt FLU to 515 or phone 0800 466 863.