Media Release

14 July 2009

Free seasonal flu vaccine

The Ministry of Health has made seasonal influenza vaccine free to all New Zealanders who want to receive it from their GP.

"We want to protect as many New Zealanders as possible from seasonal flu," said Dr Sandy Dawson.

"We're particularly anxious that people avoid getting a 'double whammy' of flu - that is, the seasonal flu plus Influenza A H1N1, swine flu.

Pandemic influenza is putting extra pressure on the delivery of health care, and extending eligibility for seasonal influenza vaccine should help ease pressure on the health system by reducing the number of GP visits and hospitalisations and reduce the impact on health providers and businesses from staff illness.

The Ministry purchased an extra 125,000 doses of the seasonal influenza vaccine to manage the increased demand.

Already, the uptake of the vaccine this season is more than last year. This vaccine protects against the strains of seasonal influenza expected to be prevalent this season. Dr Dawson said no more vaccine will be ordered once this stock has been used.

ENDS

Please attribute this statement to Dr Sandy Dawson, Key Advisor