Health Minister promotes, receives flu jab

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman receiving a flu jab from nurses Catherine Nelson (left) and Anna Hayman at Victoria University in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell, New Zealand Herald

The first of 1.2 million flu jabs has been administered - to a staunch Health Minister Jonathan Coleman.

"It doesn't hurt at all - you virtually feel nothing," Dr Coleman said at the launch of the annual influenza immunisation campaign in Wellington this morning.

"It's nothing for anyone to be nervous about," the former GP told a crowd at Victoria University's student hub, where students can get free flu jabs.

Dr Coleman said vaccination was especially important for students because of the large numbers of people at close quarters and the ease of transmitting the disease.

This year, the Health Ministry was placing a special emphasis on immunising young people with long-term health conditions such as severe asthma or diabetes.

Also in the queue for a flu jab was Victoria University student Jared Dellow.

Mr Dellow, 21, said he had type 1 diabetes, which meant the risks were far greater if he caught influenza.

"I've had it before and it's not something you want to revisit. The severe symptoms lasted for two weeks and it took a month for me to feel back at 90 per cent.

"Being a diabetic, it takes me a lot longer to fight back because my immune system isn't as strong."

Next in the queue was the university's student union president Rick Zwaan.

He said he hoped Government would also focus on preventive measures such as better housing and support for students.

"I would urge the Minister of Health to talk to his colleagues about how we can improve the quality of housing - and student support so we can prevent these illnesses in the first place."

The immunisation campaign was delayed by a few weeks to allow two new vaccine strains to be incorporated.

Dr Coleman said it was still expected that most people would get the vaccine before peak influenza season in winter, and he predicted a total of 1.2 million doses would be distributed.

Increased immunisation is one of the National-led Government's six national health targets.

It set a goal for 2014-2015 of fully immunising 95 per cent of eight month olds. The latest update showed the national result was 93.5 per cent and eight out of 20 DHBs had hit the target.

"Vaccination works, and as a Government we totally support it," Dr Coleman said.