Now’s the time to start thinking about the flu

2 February, 2010

Now’s the time to start thinking about the flu

Although winter seems a long way off it’s now time to put a reminder in your diary to get your seasonal influenza vaccination appointment.

Medical Officer of Health Caroline McElnay said this year’s seasonal vaccination programme would begin in early March and will offer protection against three strains of influenza including the pandemic H1N1 strain and the two most common seasonal strains for 2010.

Dr McElnay said it was likely that the flu season would arrive earlier than usual this year and the H1N1 pandemic influenza was predicted to be the main strain.

Vaccination was the most effective way of preventing influenza and it was important people started making plans to have their immunisation as New Zealand prepared for a predicted ‘second wave ‘ of the H1N1 pandemic, she said

“As always there are certain groups of people who are more vulnerable to influenza and get the most benefit from the vaccine – these are people who are the most at risk of severe illness and complications from seasonal influenza. They include the very young, the elderly and people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease. The H1N1 strain carries additional risk for pregnant women, morbidly obese people and those aged under 65 years with chronic medical conditions.”

As well as the triple strain seasonal vaccine offered this year, the Ministry of Health is offering an ‘early bird” monovalent (single strain) vaccine which is protection against Influenza H1N1 and will require two doses, three weeks apart.

The first dose must be administered before February 19.

This vaccine will be available to health professionals who may have had direct contact with at risk patients, pregnant women or people under 65 years of age including children with underlying health conditions such as obesity, chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal disease and cancer.

Dr McElnay said there was only limited stock of the single strain vaccine available, so only those prioritised by the Ministry of Health were eligible to receive it.

For more information on the early bird single strain pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccines or general information about influenza, visit www.moh.govt.nz/influenza or call your local GP or practice nurse.
ENDS