Over-65s failing to get flu jabs

Myths and misunderstandings are resulting in too few people over 65 taking up a free annual flu vaccine injection, says a study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal.

The flu jab became available free-of-charge to over-65s in 1997.

Since then, the number being vaccinated has increased from 39 per cent to 59 per cent in 2000, but is still lower than the Health Ministry's national coverage target of 75 per cent.

Researchers Cheryl Brunton, Rob Weir and Lance Jennings, of Otago University's Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, found reasons for the less than ideal vaccination rate included many older people believing the injection was unnecessary if they were generally healthy.

Some were concerned about side- effects, and others thought flu could be acquired from vaccination (although this was not the case).

"Influenza is seen by many people as a relatively mild illness, but it may have severe consequences and older people are more likely to experience them," said New Zealand Medical Association chairman Ross Boswell.

"Each year, in the New Zealand over-65 age group, one in 3000 will need hospital admission for influenza, and one in 10,000 will die of it."

Immunisation was a safe and effective way of preventing this illness and death.

The researchers canvassed the opinions of GPs, nurses and a number of over-65s. They found that although most were generally well informed, there were still misinformation and beliefs which discouraged too many from being vaccinated.

Most GPs and practice nurses supported increasing the vaccination subsidy, providing wider public education, and improving the use of recall systems.

The latter two strategies were already part of flu immunisation campaigns, Dr Boswell said.

Dr Brunton said that in Canterbury, the coverage for people over 65 was on target at 75 per cent. But in Northland and Auckland it was only 46 per cent and 49 per cent respectively, which was sub-optimal.

In March, regulatory authority Medsafe restricted use of the vaccine Vaxigrip to healthy people under 65, after concerns were raised it could not protect people against one flu strain.

An alternative "full strength" vaccine was found for the elderly and chronically ill but availability was delayed.

- NZPA