Seasonal Influenza

Influenza
Seasonal Influenza

Individuals in the following groups can receive free annual influenza vaccine:

A – all people 65 years of age and over

B – people under 65 years of age, including children with:

cardiovascular disease (ischaemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, cerebrovascular disease)
chronic respiratory disease (asthma if on regular preventive therapy; other chronic respiratory disease with impaired lung function)
diabetes
chronic renal disease
any cancer, excluding basal and squamous skin cancers if not invasive
other conditions (autoimmune disease, immune suppression, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), transplant recipients, neuromuscular and central nervous system diseases, haemaglobinopathies, children on long term aspirin).

Latest news about the influenza vaccine programme

The National Influenza Strategy Group (NISG)

Influenza is a significant public health issue in New Zealand, not only in terms of morbidity and mortality, but in its financial impact, and its potential to overwhelm both primary care and hospital services during epidemics in the winter months.

There is strong overseas evidence that influenza vaccination is effective in reducing morbidity and mortality from influenza, and evidence that targeted influenza vaccination programmes are cost-effective.

In 1997, New Zealand commenced a free influenza vaccination programme for those aged 65 years and over, extended in 1999 to those under 65 years with one or more of a list of chronic medical conditions, and a target of 75% coverage of eligible groups was established.

In 1999 the free vaccinations were extended to cover anyone under 65 with one or more chronic health conditions. In 2003 the vaccination was free from GPs from March to June 31.

Read the accompanying FAQs

Latest news about the influenza vaccine programme

New Zealanders rush in for influenza vaccination (April 18, 2006)
New Zealanders have rushed into surgeries for an influenza vaccination this season, according to the latest distribution figures from Healthcare Logistics.
Only five weeks into the four-month campaign, surgeries and clinics have already received more than 557,280 doses of influenza vaccine, which is more than 75 percent of the doses distributed in the entire 2005 season.

District Health Boards meet to discuss Pandemic Planning (16 December 2005)
More than 70 people from District Health Boards (DHBs) across the country have attended the latest DHB Emergency Planners Workshop to discuss planning for influenza pandemic.

Community Based Assessment Centres - roles and functions in a flu pand... (15 December 2005)
The expected roles and functions of Community Based Assessment Centres (CBACs) in the event of an influenza pandemic have been outlined by the Ministry of Health, in a draft document sent to District...

No policy decisions made yet on Tamiflu, Ministry of Health says (23 November 2005)
The policy on the best use of Tamiflu in a pandemic situation has not yet been determined, Director of Public Health Dr Mark Jacobs said today. The Ministry has been consulting since the end of...

Other media releases relating to influenza

The National Influenza Strategy Group (NISG)

The National Influenza Strategy Group (NISG) is responsible for raising public awareness about influenza and its seriousness.

Members of NISG include clinicians both medical and nursing, a communications advisor and representative of the influenza vaccine supplier.

As well as providing education to health care providers, NISG has developed resources to help them promote vaccination to all high-risk groups and has established links with relevant organisations to ensure that they are given the information and resources they need.

NISG resources and further information are available at www.influenza.org.nz

Related information:

Communicable Diseases

Avian Influenza

Immunisation

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Page last updated: 2 November 2007