News
Early Flu Shots for Those At Risk
Plans are underway to offer pandemic flu vaccination to South Canterbury people.
Medical Officer of Health Dr Daniel Williams says pandemic influenza (H1N1) is likely to be the main flu strain this winter. It will be included, with two other common strains of flu, in the seasonal flu vaccine available in March. Most people will be vaccinated when they get their annual flu shot at that time.
However, Northern Hemisphere experience suggests there is a real risk that the pandemic influenza strain may arrive before seasonal vaccine protection is in place.
South Canterbury DHB, Aoraki PHO and local general practices are working with the Ministry of Health to make an “early bird” vaccine available to groups of people at most risk.
Early bird vaccination is available free for pregnant women and people under 65 years (including children) with underlying health conditions such as obesity, chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal disease, cancer and other conditions.
In South Canterbury, the early bird vaccination will be available via GP practices and requires two doses. If you or someone in your family is in the at-risk group and wants to be immunised, contact your GP or practice nurse for details.
The first dose will be given at vaccination clinics held between February 8 and 20, with the second dose in early March. Seasonal flu vaccination is due to begin after March 8.
Dr Williams says it’s important to offer early protection to those who will need it if pandemic influenza arrives earlier than usual. This will not only help protect those at risk of flu complications – it will also help reduce the pressure on our health system.
The early bird vaccine is called a “monovalent” or single strain vaccine. It protects people against pandemic influenza (H1N1) only. The seasonal flu vaccine in March will be “trivalent”, meaning it protects you against three strains of flu including the pandemic (H1N1) strain.
Members of the public seeking more information can Click Here or contact the Immunisation Advisory’s toll-free number 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863).
For more information contact:
Arlene Goss
Communications Advisor
South Canterbury District Health Board
Private Bag 911, Timaru
Ph: 03 684 1395
Fax: 03 688 0238
Mobile: 027 276 4259
Medical Officer of Health Dr Daniel Williams says pandemic influenza (H1N1) is likely to be the main flu strain this winter. It will be included, with two other common strains of flu, in the seasonal flu vaccine available in March. Most people will be vaccinated when they get their annual flu shot at that time.
However, Northern Hemisphere experience suggests there is a real risk that the pandemic influenza strain may arrive before seasonal vaccine protection is in place.
South Canterbury DHB, Aoraki PHO and local general practices are working with the Ministry of Health to make an “early bird” vaccine available to groups of people at most risk.
Early bird vaccination is available free for pregnant women and people under 65 years (including children) with underlying health conditions such as obesity, chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal disease, cancer and other conditions.
In South Canterbury, the early bird vaccination will be available via GP practices and requires two doses. If you or someone in your family is in the at-risk group and wants to be immunised, contact your GP or practice nurse for details.
The first dose will be given at vaccination clinics held between February 8 and 20, with the second dose in early March. Seasonal flu vaccination is due to begin after March 8.
Dr Williams says it’s important to offer early protection to those who will need it if pandemic influenza arrives earlier than usual. This will not only help protect those at risk of flu complications – it will also help reduce the pressure on our health system.
The early bird vaccine is called a “monovalent” or single strain vaccine. It protects people against pandemic influenza (H1N1) only. The seasonal flu vaccine in March will be “trivalent”, meaning it protects you against three strains of flu including the pandemic (H1N1) strain.
Members of the public seeking more information can Click Here or contact the Immunisation Advisory’s toll-free number 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863).
For more information contact:
Arlene Goss
Communications Advisor
South Canterbury District Health Board
Private Bag 911, Timaru
Ph: 03 684 1395
Fax: 03 688 0238
Mobile: 027 276 4259