Early round of swine flu shots

BY DAVID TAURANGA

Free early vaccinations against an expected upsurge in swine flu are being offered to frontline health workers and at-risk people.

The H1N1 pandemic influenza – linked to up to 10 deaths in south Auckland last winter – is likely to be the main strain of flu on the loose this year, the Counties Manukau District Health Board says.

From this week until March 7 the board and the Health Ministry are offering free earlybird vaccinations.

Health board GP liaison Andrew Stacey says the early vaccinations are for frontline health workers and others vulnerable to the flu because of underlying health problems like obesity or diabetes.

The vaccinations are available at three centres in Manukau and require two doses, spaced three weeks apart.

"This is an H1N1 only vaccine and is purely to cover the potential risk of the pandemic strain arriving before the seasonal vaccine arrives on March 8," Dr Stacey says.

"Following on from the earlybird programme, this year’s seasonal vaccine will also help immunise people for H1N1 as well as two other influenza strains."

Influenza is a significant health problem in New Zealand and each year up to 20 percent of Kiwis are infected. Some become so ill they need hospital care and a small number die.

During last year’s global H1N1 outbreak, Middlemore Hospital admitted 71 people with confirmed swine flu and recorded three deaths definitely caused by the flu and another seven probably.

Many others treated by their GPs never had lab tests to confirm H1N1.

Dr Stacey says this year those at highest risk of complications are being urged to get the earlybird vaccination and then the seasonal vaccination when it becomes available.

"It’s important to offer early protection to those who most need it should pandemic influenza arrive earlier than usual influenza," he says.

"Immunisation will not only help protect healthcare workers and those at risk of flu complications, it will also help reduce the pressure on our health system."

For those who are eligible, the earlybird vaccinations are available at the Manukau SuperClinic on Great South Rd in Manurewa and Turuki Health Care on Canning Ave in Mangere.

Vaccinations are also being given at TaPasefika on Kolmar Rd in Papatoetoe for eligible people registered with the organisation.

For times call the Manukau SuperClinic on 262-9540, Turuki Health Care on 275-5788 and TaPasefika on 250-4313.

For more information see www.moh.govt.nz/influenza or call the Immunisation Advisory’s toll-free number 0800 IMMUNE (0800-466-863).

- © Fairfax NZ News