Still time to be vaccinated for seasonal flu
13/07/2010
| Flu Update
While no confirmed cases of H1N1 have been reported in the MidCentral District Health Board region so far, health authorities are reminding eligible people to get the free seasonal flu vaccination, and for everyone to take precautions.
“Although no confirmed cases have been identified here, it is likely that some of the low levels of flu-like illness currently circulating in our community will be due to H1N1,” says Jill McKenzie MidCentral District Health Board Medical Officer of Health. The majority of flu will not need to be confirmed as H1N1, as we expect most flu to be due to H1N1 this year.
For the majority of people the flu is not a serious illness. However, confirmation last week from the Ministry of Health that one person in the Bay of Plenty region was suspected as having died of the infection is a reminder for all of us to do what we can to prevent the spread of flu to at-risk people.
Dr Mark Jacobs, Director of Public Health said vaccination is the best protection against influenza. Free vaccination for people in eligible groups will continue until vaccine supplies run out. This year’s seasonal influenza vaccine includes the pandemic H1N1 virus strain and is recommended for those at greatest risk of becoming seriously ill from influenza. These at-risk groups include: women who are pregnant or recently pregnant, young children (especially our Maori and Pacific children), severely overweight people, and those with underlying medical conditions.
Dr McKenzie reiterated that. “Prevention is the best approach - there is still time to get your flu immunisation and this is especially important for those at highest risk of serious illness.”
Good hand washing and drying, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying away from others when you are sick will reduce the chance of you passing infection to people at risk for serious flu illness.
If you do get sick with flu, treatment with tamiflu early in the illness (within 48hrs of getting sick) can reduce the severity of illness and decrease the time you are infectious. If you think you have the flu ring your doctor, or Healthline 0800 611 116, to see if you should receive tamiflu treatment. This is most important for those at highest risk of serious illness.
“Remember other illnesses can mimic the flu in the early stages (e.g. meningococcal disease and other bacterial infections, other serious viral illnesses like measles). These illnesses can also increase during the winter. Always keep a close eye on sick friends or family members and seek medical advice if they are not improving or suddenly become worse,” advises Dr McKenzie.
Contact: Communications Unit (06) 350-8945
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