Flu vaccinations in demand

Staff at Hinemoa House Family Health Care are offering flu vaccinations to all patients who came in to see a doctor. Photo / Thinkstock

One Rotorua doctor practice is vaccinating up to 100 people a day against influenza as increased awareness persuades more people to take up vaccination.

The first shipments of funded influenza vaccine arrived at the beginning of the month and Rotorua medical centres are in full swing vaccinating their patients.

Ranolf Medical Centre's Dr Harry Pert said the practice had put on evening and Saturday morning clinics to help ease the pressure on nurses and get through the number wanting to be vaccinated.

It was the first time it had done so for the flu vaccine.

He said there had been delays in receiving the vaccine for "good reason", as it was changed to incorporate two new strains and give better protection against those predicted to be circulating this year.

"We have started later than usual because the supplies came later than usual so we are right in the middle of it."

He said his staff were vaccinating between 50 and 70 people a day, and up to 100 on days they had extra evening clinics.

"It is slightly delayed but should be more effective. The only problem is the pressure on practices."

Dr Pert said extra clinics were more convenient for those working or at school.

"I'm sensing more of an awareness, especially for young people".

He said the injection cost between $28 and $35 depending on the practice, but was funded for some, including pregnant women, those over 65 and some under 65 with certain medical conditions.

People often underestimated how serious the flu was, Dr Pert said.

"A lot come in and say they have the flu but have a cold. Many are really quite surprised how sick they feel with full-blown influenza. They are off work for two weeks."

A spokeswoman for Hinemoa House Family Health Care said it had also been busy carrying out immunisations, putting on extra clinics. Staff there were offering it to all patients who came in to see a doctor.

Lakes District Health Board communications officer Sue Wilkie said from July to mid-September 2014, 109 patients were tested for influenza at Rotorua Hospital.

"Of this group 34 tested positive for influenza. A total of 97 were admitted for care. However, 12 were presentations to emergency department but were not admitted."

She said the delay in the vaccine, as well as this year's flu strains being considered more virulent, meant it was "really important" people were prepared.

"We are hoping that people will respond to the call to have the fluvax and protect themselves and their families.

"The flu season can also place strain on our hospital services, depending on the number of staff who fall sick."