Early rush for jabs in face of bird flu fears

New Zealanders are rushing to get immunised against flu after worries about the potential outbreak of a bird flu pandemic.

Latest figures from Healthcare Logistics show 557,280 people have had the vaccination in the past five weeks - more than 75 per cent of the total immunisations for last year's entire four-month season.

Immunisation is free for New Zealanders at high risk of complications of influenza - people aged 65 and over and those of any age with ongoing health conditions such as asthma, auto immune diseases, heart disease, stroke and diabetes - until the end of June.

The Ministry of Health's national influenza strategy group spokesman, Dr Lance Jennings, said the trend was encouraging.

But while there was a risk of a bird flu pandemic, there was no vaccination to protect against bird flu.

However, Dr Jennings said vaccination was still worthwhile. "Being ill with seasonal influenza would make you even more vulnerable, should a pandemic strike, so vaccination against the seasonal influenza is recommended.

"Immunisation, coupled with good hygiene, is your best protection from this highly contagious and serious virus," he said.

The main flu season is from May to September.

"You're never too fit to get hit. The influenza vaccine cannot give you influenza as the vaccine does not contain any live viruses," Dr Jennings said.

- NZPA