Media Release
16 June 2004
Act now to take up free influenza vaccination
Free Influenza Vaccinations are still available for people at greatest risk from Influenza. People with chronic medical conditions and those over 65 are reminded that free influenza vaccinations will only be available until the end of June. The vaccine takes a fortnight to work so with the change in the weather as winter approaches those at risk are prompted to act now.
Vaccination is still the best protection against influenza says Dr Bohmer, National Influenza Immunisation Strategy Group (NIISG) spokesperson. While the vaccine will be available after June those at-risk need to visit their GP now and take advantage of the vaccine while it is still free.
So far this year surveillance results have indicated that influenza viruses are starting to circulate within the community. The latest information shows that the circulating strain is the A/Fujian virus. This particular strain can cause severe infections, which can lead to pneumonia and potentially an increase in hospitalisations. The vaccine that is available for the 2004 New Zealand influenza season provides protection against this strain. Vaccines distribution this year has been similar to last year with a total of 691,000 units distributed as at 9/6/04. We are on track for a 63% coverage of those at greatest risk from influenza, the elderly, however this is still well below the national target of 75%.
Influenza in a serious condition and much worse than the common cold says Dr Lance Jennings virologist and NIISG spokesperson. Influenza can leave you extremely ill for up to 10 days. Those affected can also suffer from a high fever, shivering attacks, muscular pains, headaches a dry cough, and possible vomiting. A cold however has much less severe symptoms and they generally last only 2-4 days.
Influenza can also lead to pneumonia or make underlying medical conditions worse and that’s why we encourage those people at risk to vaccinate and to vaccinate early, before influenza takes hold and over-runs our community.
Those at risk of complications are adults and children with ongoing medical conditions, including those with chronic heart conditions, those with asthma who require a preventative inhaler, people with diabetes as well as many others. Individuals and parents of children with chronic conditions are advised to talk to their Doctor or Practice nurse about influenza vaccination now as free vaccine is not available after the end of June 2004.
Susan Calvert
Communications advisor
National Immunisation Programme
Ministry of Health
Ph: 04-4954434
Cell: 025-2912614
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.
Annual vaccination is also recommended as Dr Jennings states ”The virus is always changing so the vaccines need to be updated annually to provide optimal protection against illness. Therefore people must get vaccinated each year regardless of whether they’ve been vaccinated the year before.”
Dr Jennings says “”Influenza is a serious disease that can rapidly affect the whole body. “ Influenza makes people feel miserable and is more serious than the common cold. The signs and symptoms include fever and chills, cough, body aches and pains, fatigue and headache”.
Anyone wanting more information about influenza can contact their doctor or practice nurse or telephone 0800 – IMMUNE (0800 466863)
Questions 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 that are still barriers to people taking up this free vaccination. 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 an 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 fell 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