An extra month to get free influenza vaccine

beehive.govt.nz
06 Jul 2016, 08:47 GMT+10

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says this year's seasonal influenza immunisation programme will be extended to the end of August.

"While we've had great uptake of the influenza vaccine this year, there may be people who haven't got around to getting immunised," says Dr Coleman.

"To help ensure New Zealanders have the protection they need, we are extending the immunisation programme for eligible people until 31 August.

"Ministry of Health surveillance data suggests that influenza rates have not yet peaked this winter. However, if levels start to increase in late winter as they did last year, it's important that people can still access the vaccine.

"To date almost 1.23 million influenza vaccines have been distributed across the country, protecting over a quarter of our population. The vaccine has so far been a good match for the influenza strains in circulation."

The influenza vaccine is free for people aged 65 years and over, pregnant women, people with long term health conditions such as severe asthma, and children under five who have been hospitalised for a respiratory illness. It takes two weeks to provide full protection.

Those who aren';t eligible for free immunisation can purchase it from general practices and some pharmacies.

The influenza vaccine for the 2016 season includes two new strains based on recommendations from the World Health Organization:

A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) - like virus

A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2) - like virus (new)

B/Brisbane/60/2008 - like virus (new)

For further information go to www.fightflu.co.nz or www.health.govt.nz/influenza or call 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863).

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Irish Sun.

More Information

3 ℃

Partly Cloudy in Dublin

International

Section

As British face inflation, government freezes BBC subscription fee

LONDON, England: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) faces a major financial setback following a recent announcement by the government to ...

US Supreme Court to rule on religious rights of football coach

WASHINGTON D.C.: The U.S. Supreme Court said it would hear an appeal from a former high school football coach who ...

US snow storm leaves thousands without power

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina: The eastern United States was hit by a severe winter storm on January 16, packing heavy snow, ...

Norwegian Caribbean cruise remains in St. Martin as cruise canceled

PHILIPSBURG, St. Martin: Norwegian Cruise Line canceled, mid-voyage, a ten-day Caribbean cruise on the Norwegian Gem due to COVID-19, leaving ...

One of world's oldest gorillas put to sleep at Atlanta Zoo

ATLANTA, Georgia: Zoo Atlanta's gorilla, one of the oldest in captivity at 59 years, was euthanized on January 13 due ...

Former Denmark defense minister charged with leaking state secrets

COPENHAGEN, Denmark: An official at the highest level of the Denmark government has been charged with leaking state secrets. Claus ...

Europe

Section