Media Release

11 May 2004

Ministry reminds people that free influenza vaccination is still available.

The Ministry of Health is reminding those people most at risk of complications from influenza that free vaccination is still available but only until the end of June 2004.

Every year the Ministry of Health funds free vaccination for people most at risk from influenza infection. This includes those aged 65 and over and adults and children with some chronic health conditions. These conditions include asthma (but only if using a preventer), diabetes, heart conditions, chronic kidney disease and some other conditions affecting the immune system. Influenza is a serious illness and can lead to serious health complications or even death. Those at risk should talk to a healthcare professional about the free vaccination.

In 2003 there were approximately 46,000 General Practice consultations for influenza type illness in New Zealand, and an increase in hospitalisations due to influenza of more than 100 on the previous year.

Dr Paul Bohmer, who is the National Influenza Immunisation Strategy Group (NIISG) spokesperson, says about 10 percent or 354,000 of New Zealanders under the age of 65 qualify for the free influenza vaccine under the criteria of "chronic conditions" but so far only about a third of this group has taken up the offer. He says health centres have worked hard to encourage patients to receive the vaccination and he hopes this will continue.

“While the influenza season has not really started yet, with the onset of colder weather influenza is likely to be around soon. It is important for people in the high risk groups to be vaccinated now before the cold months start, as it takes two weeks for the vaccine to work,” says Dr Paul Bohmer.

Dr Bohmer says "Influenza is very contagious, as it is easily spread between people. Influenza is not like having a simple cold - it makes people very unwell and miserable for up to 10 days and can have serious complications. Those at greatest risk, as well as those caring for those in high-risk groups and healthcare workers should be vaccinated as soon as possible."


Background

Those people with chronic health conditions are more at risk of complications from influenza and that is why the vaccination is provided free to these groups. This includes those 65 years and over, and those adults and children with certain chronic conditions including:

• heart disease
• stroke
• ongoing respiratory (chest) diseases like chronic bronchitis or asthma (but only those requiring regular preventative medication)
• diabetes
• ongoing renal (kidney) disease
• most cancers
• other conditions affecting the immune system such as HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis and organ transplants.

Overseas research studies have shown that influenza vaccination cuts hospitalisations and deaths in the over 65-age group during the influenza season.

Vaccination is the best protection against influenza. For those in the ‘at risk’ groups, early vaccination is recommended even if they are fit and healthy.

Anyone wanting more information about influenza can contact their doctor or practice nurse or telephone 0800 – IMMUNE (0800 466863)

ENDSQuestions and Answers


What is the Ministry of Health and National Influenza Immunisation Strategy Group (NIISG) doing to encourage people to be vaccinated?

The main role for NIISG and the Ministry of Health is to increase public awareness of influenza and its seriousness. NIISG has developed a series of user-friendly resources for the public, some of which address myths about the vaccine. An example is the misconception that taking the vaccine will give the person influenza. These resources are available when you get vaccinated.

NIISG has also given health providers resources to help them promote vaccination to all at-risk groups, and established links with relevant organisations to ensure that they are given information and resources to pass on to their members.


Why do people need to vaccinate?

Influenza immunisation is the best protection against influenza. Influenza infection in people with ongoing medical conditions, even if well controlled may lead to more serious illness and death.

Influenza can cause pneumonia and can act as a trigger that makes existing medical conditions worse. In older people and those with ongoing medical conditions such as heart disease, other respiratory problems and diabetes this can lead to hospitalisation and even death.


Where can eligible people get a free vaccination?

Free vaccinations are available from your local General Practitioner even though a practice nurse may be the one who actually administers the injection to you. The vaccine is injected into your upper arm.


The vaccination is free but what about the doctor’s visit?

If you are in one of the groups at greatest risk then visit your doctor’s practice for a vaccination before the end of June. The vaccine and administration is free. Note that if you see your GP at the same time for any other reason the GP may charge for this service.


How many vaccinations were provided last year?

A total of 690,210 vaccines were distributed during the 2003 influenza season. However due to factors such as wastage, this may not accurately estimate the number of immunisations that were actually given.


Who manufactures the vaccine?

The subsidised vaccine is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKlein (GSK) and is distributed by Healthcare Logistics.


What is influenza?

Influenza is a highly infectious illness caused by a virus.


What are the symptoms?

Influenza has a sudden onset and is accompanied by some or all of the following symptoms:

• Fever and chills
• Cough
• Body aches and pains
• Fatigue
• Headache

How can I tell the difference between a cold and influenza?

Influenza makes people feel miserable and is much more serious that a common cold. Influenza will leave you ill for up to 10 days. Most people suffer from a high fever and may require bed rest. Those affected can also suffer from shivering attacks, muscular pains, headaches a dry cough, possible vomiting and there can be complications like pneumonia. A vaccine is available to protect against influenza.

A cold however has much less severe symptoms and they generally last only 2-4 days. High fever is less common and shivering attacks and severe headaches are rare. Muscular pains and vomiting are infrequent and the cough will be less severe. There is no vaccine available.


How safe is the vaccine?

The immunisation will not give you influenza because the vaccine contains killed virus. Most people have no reaction to the injection. Occasionally the place where the injection was given is red or sore. Some people may feel unwell for a day or two. These are normal responses to the immunisation.


Does it actually work?

Yes. For those at high risk, influenza vaccination reduces hospitalisation by 50 percent and mortality by 70 percent. In general the vaccine is 70-90 percent effective in preventing influenza in healthy adults.


Will I get influenza if I have a vaccination?

Influenza vaccine cannot give you the flu as it does not contain live vaccine.


Summary of 2003 influenza statistics

During the 2003 influenza season, 3 470 consultations for influenza-like illness were reported from a national sentinel network of 89 general practices. It is estimated that Influenza like illness affected over 46 116 New Zealanders during the season, compared with an estimated 34 730 in 2002.


How are the statistics collected?

There are two parts to the influenza surveillance systems in New Zealand – general practice (GP) surveillance and laboratory-based (mainly hospital) surveillance.


General Practice Surveillance

The GP surveillance system started in 1991 as part of the WHO Global programme for influenza surveillance. It is operated nationally by ESR and locally by influenza surveillance co-ordinators in the public health services.

In 2003, national influenza GP surveillance was done from May to September. Local surveillance co-ordinators recruited General Practices within their region to participate on a voluntary basis. GP’s recorded the number of consultations for influenza-like illness each week and the age group of each of these suspected cases.

Each practice was also asked to collect throat or nose swabs from patients seen with an influenza like illness each week. The swabs were sent to a regional virus diagnostic laboratory and/or ESR for strain identification.


Laboratory-based surveillance (year round)

In addition to positive identification of the influenza virus from GP surveillance, year round surveillance of influenza (and other viruses) is carried out by the four regional virus diagnostic laboratories at Auckland, Waikato, Christchurch and Dunedin hospitals, and by ESR’s virology hospital. Both the ESR and Auckland hospital laboratories are designated WHO National Influenza Centres.

Each week the regional virus diagnostic laboratories report all viral identifications including influenza largely from hospital in-patients and outpatients, to ESR, where the data is collated and reported nationally.

In 2003, there were a total of 586 hospital admissions for influenza. This compares with 483 for 2002 and 379 for 2001.


References

Nichol KL Goodman M Cost effectiveness of influenza vaccination for healthy persons between age 65 and 74 years Vaccine 2002 May 15 20 Suppl 2:S21-4

Scott WG Scott HM Economic evaluation of vaccination against influenza in New Zealand Pharmacoeconomics 1996 Jan 9 (1):51-60