2010 Influenza Vaccination Campaign starts in MDHB region

02/02/2010 | Influenza Vaccination Campaign

MidCentral District Health Board, along with the other 20 DHBs, is about to start the 2010 Influenza vaccination Campaign

This year the Ministry of Health is taking a two-stage approach to protecting New Zealanders from influenza.

The main stage using seasonal influenza vaccine is due to start in early March. This year the seasonal influenza vaccine contains protection against pandemic H1N1 influenza. In addition, seasonal vaccine covers people for 2 other strains of influenza. Three suppliers are providing seasonal influenza vaccine to New Zealand, and it's expected to be available at your General Practice from early to mid-March.

As in previous years, the seasonal influenza vaccine is available free for many people including anyone aged over 65, and all other people who meet the criteria for having a serious on-going medical condition. In addition, pregnant women, morbidly obese people, and children aged six months to five years enrolled in certain GP practices (identified as having high numbers of patients who are Maori, Pacific or from high deprivation areas) are also eligible to receive the vaccine free of charge this year.

As well as the seasonal influenza vaccination programme, an 'Early Protection' stage kicked off today ( Monday 1 February). This early protection stage uses a single-strain pandemic H1N1 vaccine and will be offered to those most at-risk of getting pandemic H1N1 influenza and developing complications.

Those eligible for this ‘early protection’ pandemic vaccine include: people under 65 years of age (including children) with certain medical conditions (as for seasonal influenza), pregnant women, people who are morbidly obese, and all children aged six months to five years, who are enrolled with certain GP practices (as detailed above). Frontline healthcare workers who work with these at risk groups are also eligible for this early protection pandemic vaccination.

Next week two teams of vaccinators begin clinics for primary care frontline healthcare workers. There has already been good levels of response from primary care regarding the intent to attend one of these clinics. Frontline health workers in the hospital setting are also being offered the vaccine starting during the second week of February.

From the week beginning 8 February, clinics will be available for the eligible “at risk” public. If you are unsure if you are eligible then please check with your Health Practitioner. Appointments for these clinics are not required and the locations of these clinics are as follows:

Monday 8 February, and Tuesday 9 February - Palmerston North clinics: 9am-1pm, and 2pm-5pm at Health on Main, 575 Main Street, Palmerston North.

Wednesday 10 February - Otaki clinic: 9.30am-12.30pm at Otaki Medical Centre, 2 Aotaki Street, Otaki.
Levin clinic: 1.45pm-4.30pm at Horowhenua Health Centre, Liverpool Street, Levin.

Thursday 11 February – Dannevirke clinic: 9.30am-12.30pm at Dannevirke Community Hospital, Barraud Street, Dannevirke.

Pahiatua clinic: 1.45pm-4.30pm at Tararua Primary Health Organisation (PHO) rooms, corner of Queen and Huxley Streets, Pahiatua.

Friday 12 February – Feilding clinic: 9.30am-12.30pm at Clevely Health Centre, Duke Street, Feilding.

Foxton clinic: 1.45pm-4pm - Salvation Army Church Centre, Avenue Rd, Foxton.

For further information about locations of the pandemic vaccine clinics you should contact Compass Health on (06) 354-9107, during normal business hours.

Two doses of the Celvapan® pandemic vaccine at least three weeks apart are required. New Zealand has a limited supply of this vaccine which is why the offer of pandemic vaccine is limited to specific priority groups. The pandemic vaccine will be made available until the seasonal influenza vaccination programme begins.
People wanting to check their eligibility for either pandemic (early protection) or a free seasonal influenza vaccine should contact their GP.