Protecting yourself and others
For some people, influenza can be a very serious illness. The basic measures to protect yourself and others remain the same, but are more important as we see more influenza circulating in the community:
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know the symptoms of influenza, which can include a high fever, headache, cough, sore throat, tiredness and generally aching all over
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phone for medical advice quickly (call your GP or Healthline on 0800 611 116) if you have influenza-like symptoms, including consideration of whether you need antiviral medicine treatment. Antiviral medication may lessen the severity and length of your illness, but is best started within the first 48 hours. Antiviral medication is currently available free of charge for people who are prescribed it for influenza treatment.
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seeking early medical advice is especially important for women who are pregnant, severely overweight people and those with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, heart and lung disease and other conditions including autoimmune diseases
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wash and dry hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes and stay home if you are sick.
If you haven't yet been immunised, it's important to book in to get immunised now, as it takes up to a fortnight for the vaccine to offer its full level of protection. Young children also need a longer time as they require two doses a month apart to be assured of best protection. Immunisation is especially recommended for those at greatest risk of complications from H1N1 influenza, including women who are pregnant, very young children, severely overweight people and those with underlying medical conditions.
To allow us flexibility over the weeks ahead, the Ministry of Health has reached an agreement with Sanofi, who will supply up to 35,000 doses of Intanza for the subsidised influenza immunisation programme. Intanza provides protection against the same strains of influenza as Vaxigrip (the brand which is currently in use) including pandemic influenza H1N1 (swine flu). Intanza is only approved for use in individuals aged 18 to 59 – therefore only individuals with chronic conditions, obese individuals or pregnant women in this age range will be subsidised for Intanza.
Intanza, perhaps best known for its very small needle, is new on the scene this year, and until now has only been available on the private market. Please be aware that, as per our planning, at some stage in the next few weeks warehouse supplies of Vaxigrip will be depleted, making Intanza the only seasonal flu vaccine available for subsidised patients. .
More information can be found on the Ministry of Health's Influenza web pages.
27 April 2010 - UPDATE – FLUVAX® in children under five years of age
Status of response agencies
NZ Influenza Pandemic Plan now available
The updated New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan: A framework for action is now available online on our website.
The plan sets out the all-of-government measures to be taken to prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic. It replaces the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Action Plan 2006.
The Ministry of Health leads the Government’s response to a pandemic. It is the responsibility of other agencies to plan for and respond to a pandemic in their respective sectors and settings, based on the direction set out by the Ministry of Health.
Pandemics by their nature are unpredictable in terms of timing, severity and the population groups that are most affected. This version of the New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan establishes a framework for action that can readily be adopted and applied to any pandemic, irrespective of the nature of the virus and its severity.
This revision of the plan is based on extensive consultation carried out in 2008/09. It takes into account lessons learned in the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 response. It is a working document to give direction to future responses.
View the new version of the action plan.
Health advice and informationMedical officers of health still ask that people be aware of the dangers of seasonal influenza and practice good cough and sneeze etiquette, social distancing when unwell and good hand hygiene.
Precautions remain: anyone with an influenza-like illness, who developed symptoms within seven days of travel to a country of concern, should call their general practitioner or the medical officers of health immediately.
On-call health protection officer (021 999 521), on-call medical officer of health (021 359 650), or Healthline 0800 611 116.
Preparedness for your organisationPlease ensure you have a pandemic plan in place in your business/organisations. If you do have an existing plan, now is the time to review and discuss it with staff and stakeholders.
For more information on planning for a pandemic go to www.moh.govt.nz/pandemicinfluenza
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