Seasonal influenza vaccine campaign begins in MDHB district

10/03/2010 | Influenza Vaccine

The annual Seasonal Influenza Immunisation Programme for 2010 began this week around the country, including in our district.

This year’s seasonal influenza vaccine protects against three strains of influenza including the Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) strain. As is the case every year, this vaccine will be free for people in higher risk groups, but other people will also be able to pay for it from their General Practitioner.

Keep an eye out for the series of posters produced by MidCentral District Health Board featuring a variety of community groups and individuals from our region promoting the flu vaccine. These posters will be displayed in health facilities and other venues in a bid to encourage people to have their seasonal vaccines early.

Vaxigrip®, Fluvax® and Influvac® are the three vaccines that will be used to immunise people in New Zealand this year.

For 2010 only, The Ministry of Health has extended the eligibility criteria for free flu vaccination. In addition to the usual eligibility (people aged 6mths-65yrs with serious ongoing medical conditions and all people >65yrs), this year pregnant women, people with severe obesity and healthy children aged 6 months to their fifth birthday who are considered by their doctor to be at higher risk of serious influenza infection, can also receive a free flu immunisation.

Evidence from 2009 suggests that children with chronic medical conditions, particularly lung and nervous system conditions; children under 5yrs who are Pacific, Maori, or living in areas of high deprivation are more at risk of hospitalisation from swine flu. Children with certain chronic conditions are already eligible – (which is the case every year) and free flu immunisation will be extended to these other risk groups.

People at high risk of serious influenza illness who have already had their two doses of pandemic vaccine in February, should still have the seasonal influenza vaccine. The seasonal vaccine will add additional protection against another two other common influenza strains, as well as pandemic influenza.

Although the seasonal influenza vaccine is only free for eligible people, for others there is the option to either pay for the vaccine, or receive it as part of a workplace immunisation programme.

For more information txt FLU to 515, visit www.fightflu.co.nz or call 0800 IMMUNE or talk to your doctor or nurse.

Who is eligible for free vaccinations under the Seasonal Influenza Immunisation Programme in 2010?

The following people are eligible for free vaccination under the annual Seasonal Influenza Immunisation Programme in 2010.

1. All people who are 65 years and older
2. People aged six months to 64 years of age who:

• have cardiovascular disease (ischaemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease and cerebrovascular disease)
• have chronic respiratory disease (asthma if on regular preventive therapy; other chronic respiratory disease with impaired lung function)
• have diabetes
• have chronic renal disease
• have any cancer, excluding basal and squamous skin cancers if not invasive
• have other conditions (autoimmune disease, immune suppression, HIV, transplant recipients, neuromuscular and central nervous system disease, haemaglobinopathies, children on long term aspirin).

3. Pregnant women
4. People with severe obesity
5. Healthy children aged from six months to their fifth birthday who are considered by their general practice to be at high risk for serious influenza illness – children living in areas with high deprivation, Pacific or Maori children.

Contact: Communications Unit (06) 350-8945.