Lifesaving protection for most vulnerable

06/03/2009 | Lifesaving influenza immunisation

People over 65 as well as those with long term illnesses are being advised to get their free influenza immunisation as soon as possible.

Barb Bradnock from MidCentral District Health Board  is encouraging those eligible to make use of the opportunity to protect themselves from what population health experts are predicting as one of the hardest hitting influenza seasons.

Influenza immunisation is free for New Zealanders at high risk of complications. These include people aged 65 and over, and anyone under 65 years of age (including children from 6 months) with long-term health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease (including asthma), kidney disease and most cancers.

Last year 61 percent of the district's over-65-year-olds had their immunisation and Mark Beale, clinical director of internal medicine at MidCentral Health hopes to see this number increase in 2009.

“Many people don’t realise the difference between influenza and a bad cold. Influenza is a really nasty virus in a healthy person but for those whose immune systems are already fragile it can be very serious and sometimes even fatal, ” says Dr Beale.

“I’d encourage all of those eligible to get immunised this year. It only takes a few minutes of your time but could save your life.”

This year’s influenza vaccine offers protection against a Brisbane H3N2-like strain, a Brisbane H1N1-like strain and a B strain. These strains were responsible for the deaths of six children in Australia last year and medical experts in Europe have said it could be the most deadly influenza virus they have seen for 20 years.

Funded vaccine is available free from a doctor or nurse to eligible groups until June 30, 2009.

CONTACT:

Barb Bradnock
Portfolio Manager
MidCentral DHB
021 162 0274