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Influenza in the Waikato

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Influenza in the Waikato

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The Northern Hemisphere has been hit hard with influenza this year and experts are predicting that the same strain of influenza will come to New Zealand.

Our advice to people in the Waikato is to get vaccinated as soon as vaccines become available from mid-April until 31 December.

Influenza is

  • a potentially serious virus that spreads quickly from person to person. 
  • much more serious than a cold, and the symptoms are much more severe – influenza kills.

Symptoms of influenza can include the following symptoms:

  • fever or chillsInfuenza. Don't get it. Don't give it.
  • dry cough
  • sore throat
  • runny nose
  • headache
  • body aches and pains
  • lack of energy, fatigue, and generally feeling really sick for about 10 days.  

Influenza can be severe enough to require hospital treatment, particularly in the very young, elderly, and in people who already have health problems. It can be serious and life-threatening.

Immunisation is your best defence against influenza.
Anyone can get immunised (vaccinated) again influenza at their local GP or medical centre or pharmacy. Immunisation is FREE for some people.

Those most at risk are eligible for FREE influenza immunisation, and include

  • adults and children with long-term health conditions - more information at  www.fightflu.co.nz
  • pregnant women (any stage of pregnancy - scroll down for more information)
  • and people aged 65 years and older. 

If you are eligible, FREE flu vaccinations are available from your GP or medical centre. 

Privately funded and FREE flu vaccines are also available from some community pharmacies (for people aged 65 years and older and pregnant women). Please ask your local pharmacist. 

This year’s funded influenza vaccines contain two different vaccine strains from the 2017 vaccine.

  • Influvac® Tetra

(for adults and children aged 3 years and over) The vaccine will be available from early April

  • Fluarix® Tetra

(for children aged 6-35 months) The vaccine will be available from mid-April.

The four influenza strains include two new (in bold):

  • A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1) pdm09 – like virus
  • A/Singapore/INFIMH/16-0019/2016 (H3N2)-like virus
  • B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus
  • B/Brisbane/60/2008 – like virus

Influenza is not a cold. It can be a dangerous illness that can pose a very serious risk to your life and that of your unborn baby. The danger comes from your body as it fights the illness, and the impact that can have on your baby. The hormonal and physical changes in pregnant women lowers the ability to fight viral infections.

It is very important for pregnant women (all stages of pregnancy) to get immunised against the flu. The vaccine gives protection to the mother, the unborn baby and the newborn baby. And it is FREE.

The vaccine will not harm the baby at all.

  • Wash and dry hands thoroughly or use hand sanitiser before touching your mouth, nose or eyes
  • Use disposable tissues. One blow and throw the tissue away, preferably into a rubbish bin with a lid or a plastic liner, then wash and dry hands, or use hand sanitiser
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue or, if no tissues are available, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow or arm
  • Regularly clean flat surfaces, door handles, bathroom sinks and taps
  • Stay at home if you are sick
  • Keep at least a metre away from people who you know are sick

Got some questions?

Go to www.fightflu.co.nz

View the latest videos for helpful information

www.healthnavigator.org.nz/videos/i/influenza/influenza-vaccination

Other helpful links

www.immune.org.nz
www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/i/influenza