Free flu vaccinations

Last updated 15:13 09/07/2009

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Free seasonal flu vaccinations are now available to all New Zealanders, the Health Ministry announced today as the swine flu death toll officially reached six with a seventh case unconfirmed.

A Northern Regional Health Coordination Centre spokeswoman said two people died at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital yesterday.

One was confirmed as having had the swine flu A (H1N1) virus while the second was a suspected case and staff were awaiting lab results.

The spokeswoman was unable to say whether the two suffered from any other medical conditions.

The seasonal flu vaccine, which was previously available free to people with underlying health conditions, is now available free to all New Zealanders, the Health Ministry said today.

The vaccine, which does not provide protection from swine flu, is available free from GPs until the end of September.

The Health Ministry said making the seasonal flu vaccine free to all is expected to ease the numbers of people seeking treatment for seasonal ills this year as well as reducing the numbers of hospital admissions.

- Stuff.co.nz and NZPA

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