The overall situation in New Zealand is largely unchanged since last week. Sentinel surveillance data from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research show that visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) remained at very low levels during the week of 25-31 January 2010.
Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand, 2008-2010
Whilst the continued low influenza activity is good news, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that the pandemic is not over. A possible second wave of pandemic influenza, for which we have been preparing, could occur anytime.
To help protect New Zealanders against the flu, the Ministry is currently making a monovalent (single viral strain) pandemic vaccine available through an early targeted immunisation programme. The Ministry recommends that those at highest risk of complications have this monovalent vaccine (followed by the seasonal influenza immunisation when it becomes available from early March). Those eligible to receive this monovalent pandemic vaccine are pregnant women, people under 65 years of age (including children) with certain conditions (as for seasonal influenza) or are morbidly obese, and all children aged from 6 months to their fifth birthday enrolled in designated practices that have high proportions of people who are Maori, Pacific and/or from high deprivation areas. It is being made available through clinics, and eligible people who are interested in receiving the early vaccine can get information about these clinics from their DHB.
The early immunisation will also be available to frontline healthcare workers, including staff in general practices, emergency departments, intensive care units and those who may have direct contact with at-risk patients.
To help protect New Zealanders against the flu, the Ministry is currently making a monovalent (single viral strain) pandemic vaccine available through an early targeted immunisation programme. The Ministry recommends that those at highest risk of complications have this monovalent vaccine (followed by the seasonal influenza immunisation when it becomes available from early March). Those eligible to receive this monovalent pandemic vaccine are pregnant women, people under 65 years of age (including children) with certain conditions (as for seasonal influenza) or are morbidly obese, and all children aged from 6 months to their fifth birthday enrolled in designated practices that have high proportions of people who are Maori, Pacific and/or from high deprivation areas. It is being made available through clinics, and eligible people who are interested in receiving the early vaccine can get information about these clinics from their DHB.
The early immunisation will also be available to frontline healthcare workers, including staff in general practices, emergency departments, intensive care units and those who may have direct contact with at-risk patients.
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