Staff have a shot at beating flu

KELLY HODEL/Waikato Times

FLU FIGHTER: Waikato hospital staff member Dominique Hite receives her flu vaccination from Karren Moss on Thursday.

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Staff at Waikato Hospital were being immunised against three types of flu yesterday in readiness for winter viruses.

Waikato District Health Board medical officer of health Dr Felicity Dumble said this year more groups than previously would be offered free flu vaccines.

"Particularly if they fit into categories which puts them at high risk of complications," Dr Dumble said.

Those groups include people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, severely obese people and children aged six months to five years on the advice of their doctor.

Free vaccinations would also be available to people with long-term health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease (including asthma), kidney disease and most cancers.

Director of public health Dr Mark Jacobs said people would need to be immunised as soon as possible as swine flu could return in a second wave as early as the end of this month or next and that it would take up to two weeks to develop immunity after vaccination.

"Although current trends indicate that for most people swine flu is similar to normal winter seasonal flu, for some it can be very serious and can lead to complications, even death.

"We need to be vigilant and take reasonable precautions," Dr Jacobs said.

Last year about half of the staff at Waikato DHB took advantage of the free immunisation and Dr Dumble said she hoped even more would line up this year.

"When it comes to medical facilities the immunisation not only protects the staff member, it also protects other vulnerable patients and family members," Dr Dumble said.

The 2010 seasonal influenza vaccine protects against three types of flu, including the pandemic H1N1 Influenza 09 (swine flu). Those people who don't qualify for a free flu vaccine can get it through their general practitioner for a small charge while many employers also offer free immunisation to their staff.

For free health advice, call Healthline 0800 611 116. For advice about influenza immunisation visit www.fight-flu.co.nz or text FLU to 515.

- © Fairfax NZ News