The Northern Hemisphere has been hit hard with influenza this year and experts are predicting that the same strain of influenza will come to New Zealand.
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:
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:
There are two funded quadrivalent vaccines available for eligible persons for different age groups
Influenza s and FREE for people who are most likely to get very sick, be hospitalised or even die if they catch influenza.
Go to www.fightflu.co.nz
www.healthnavigator.org.nz/videos/i/influenza/influenza-vaccination
www.immune.org.nz
www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/i/influenza