Early birds can get flu shots

Health officials say people should start booking their influenza vaccinations.

Waikato District Health Board medical officer of health Dr Felicity Dumble says a seasonal flu vaccination, which includes protection against swine flu and two other influenza strains, will be available in six weeks.

However, the Ministry of Health is also offering an early bird single-strain vaccine against swine flu from next week to people deemed particularly at risk from the pandemic. They include children under 5 enrolled in designated general practices, pregnant women, people with certain medical conditions, the morbidly obese and frontline healthcare workers.