Canterbury Doctors Encourage Flu Vaccination

Canterbury Doctors Encourage Flu Vaccination

Canterbury doctors are urging all Canterbury people who are at risk of complications from influenza to have a vaccination, following the identification of swine flu in 10 people in South Canterbury and four in the Canterbury town of Rakaia.

Free influenza vaccination is still available for pregnant women in any trimester, children under five, people with long term medical conditions, those who are very overweight and anyone aged over 65 years. Anyone else who wants to avoid getting the flu this year can also visit their General Practice and pay for a vaccination. This year’s vaccination includes protection against swine flu and the two most common seasonal influenza strains.

“We would especially encourage Maori and Pacific Island people with chronic conditions and those with under five year olds to make an appointment for them or their children to be vaccinated. Canterbury’s Pacific Island community, in particular, was hit hard by influenza last year compared with the rest of the population,” General Practitioner Dr Phil Schroeder said.

“Like last year, swine flu in other parts of the country is proving to be a mild illness for most people but severe for some, including a small number of people who have no long term health conditions,” Dr Schroeder said.

“Canterbury’s flu season looks likely to start later than first predicted. If people, who are at greater risk from flu, have not been vaccinated they should make an appointment with their General Practice as soon as possible.”

It takes a couple of weeks for the vaccine to start protecting against the flu, so it is important to receive the vaccination before swine flu becomes more widespread in Canterbury.

“At the moment it is just down the road from Christchurch and giving us a small window of opportunity to vaccinate those at greater risk who have not visited their General Practice yet,” Dr Schroeder said

Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Alistair Humphrey said, “along with having a flu vaccination it is important that people help to protect themselves, and their families, against the spread of influenza.”

This includes:
• Washing and drying your hands thoroughly (20 seconds washing and 20 seconds drying) before eating, after using the toilet and after being with someone who is unwell.
• Staying away from school or work if you are unwell.
• Covering your coughs and sneezes.
Symptoms of the influenza virus can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

If you think you have influenza, call your General Practice promptly so that they can decide whether it is appropriate to prescribe antiviral medicines such as Tamiflu or Relenza. These medicines are most effective when taken within 48 hours of symptoms starting. It is especially important that people, who are at greater risk of complications from the flu, ring their GP as early as possible. This includes pregnant women, children under five, people with long term medical conditions, people aged over 65 and those who are very overweight.

Anyone who is worried about their flu symptoms should also call their General Practice, the Canterbury flu line on 0800 37 30 37 or Healthline on 0800 611 116.

ENDS