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Influenza in the Waikato

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Influenza in the Waikato

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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
  • 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.

Having an Influenza immunisation every year can keep older people healthy and active for longer.

Influenza immunisation during pregnancy helps protect the mother and her baby against Influenza.

Immunisation is your best defence against influenza. Even if you still catch Influenza after immunisation, your symptoms are less likely to be severe.

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

Get immunised to stop the spread of influenza in your community.  Even If you don't feel sick, you could still be infected with influenza and pass it on to others.

The influenza strains included in the 2020 quadrivalent vaccine are the following:

  • A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus
  • A/South Australia/34/2019 (H3N2)-like virus
  • B/Washington/02/2019-like virus
  • B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus

There are two funded quadrivalent vaccines available for eligible persons for different age groups

  • Afluria Quad – for eligible adults and children 3 years and older
  • Afluria Quad Junior – for eligible children age 6 months to 35 months

Influenza s and FREE for people who are most likely to get very sick, be hospitalised or even die if they catch influenza.

  • Pregnant women,
  • people aged 65 years or older,
  • people aged under 65 years with diabetes, most heart or lung conditions and some other illnesses, and
  • Children aged 4 years or under who have had a stay in hospital for asthma or other breathing problems.
  • Immunising a pregnant woman offers protection both to the mother, the unborn baby and newborn baby and it is free for you
  • The protection from immunisation during pregnancy is also passed on to your baby so they are born with some protection against influenza for the first few months of life
  • Pregnant women with influenza are nearly 5 times more likely to be admitted to hospital than women who are not pregnant
  • Maternal influenza immunisation protects two high-risk groups with one vaccine dose - pregnant mothers and their babies.
  • 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