Flu campaign steps up as winter arrives

Immunisation is free for anyone at high risk. File photo / NZ Herald

Winter is officially here this week, and with it comes the seasonal push to get people immunised against the flu as it starts doing the rounds of offices and schools.

Almost 950,000 doses of the flu vaccine have been distributed so far, which Health Minister Tony Ryall said was an indication that more than a million vaccines would be distributed this flu season.

While the flu was a mild to moderate illness for most people, the H1N1 swine flu pandemic had shown how serious the illness could be - potentially leading to serious complications or even death.

"With the official start of winter this week, it's important people who want to get protected against flu get immunised as soon as possible as it can take up to two weeks to develop immunity," Mr Ryall said.

People may not realise how costly the flu could be, with a recent study of the 2009 pandemic showing it cost $100,000 on average for critical hospital care in Australia and New Zealand, he said.

Some $85,000 of that went towards intensive care treatment alone.

This year's flu vaccine protected against three strains of the virus, including the H1N1 pandemic strain and the seasonal H3N2 and B strains, all expected to do the rounds this season.

Immunisation is free for anyone at high risk, including people aged over 65, people with some long-term health conditions and pregnant women.

Free vaccines were also available to anyone under the age of 18 in Canterbury, as part of the response to the Christchurch earthquake.

Those who are eligible can get vaccines until July 31.

- NZPA