Influenza in 2010
In light of the continuing Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) pandemic around the world, steps are being taken this year to ensure that everyone in New Zealand is given access to vaccines that will protect them against pandemic influenza as well as seasonal influenza strains. It is expected that pandemic influenza will again be the main influenza strain that circulates in the country this year.
Influenza is different from the common cold and includes the following symptoms:
• A fever greater or equal to 38°C
• At least one respiratory symptom such as a cough, sore throat or nasal symptoms such as a runny nose
• At least one systemic symptom such as a headache, myalgia (aches/pains), sweats/chills (feeling feverish) or lethargy (fatigue).
Influenza can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and every year New Zealanders die as a result of this infection.
There are many reasons to get immunised and to do it early.
Influenza pandemics happen when a new influenza virus strain develops and spreads around the world. People who have not been exposed to a new virus are more likely to catch it.
Influenza pandemics can vary greatly making it impossible to accurately predict the eventual impact of a pandemic. The 1918 influenza pandemic, which killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide, started with relatively mild waves of illness and then evolved into the most severe influenza pandemic in history.
Every year we see a peak of influenza in winter. The timing of a peak this year is less certain because there is a global pandemic of a new influenza virus, Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu). Pandemic waves can happen at any time, and it is very likely that we will see another wave. This may begin earlier than usual, possibly in early autumn.
Immunisation will reduce your chance of catching and spreading influenza in the community. It will also help keep you and those around you safe. The seasonal influenza vaccine this year covers Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) as well as seasonal strains.
The Ministry of Health encourages everyone in New Zealand to get immunised against influenza, and because of the risk of an early wave this year, to be immunised early.
The influenza vaccine is offered free to certain groups of people at higher risk of developing severe complications.
Don’t let the flu get you.
In light of the continuing Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) pandemic around the world, steps are being taken this year to ensure that everyone in New Zealand is given access to vaccines that will protect them against pandemic influenza as well as seasonal influenza strains. It is expected that pandemic influenza will again be the main influenza strain that circulates in the country this year.
Influenza is different from the common cold and includes the following symptoms:
• A fever greater or equal to 38°C
• At least one respiratory symptom such as a cough, sore throat or nasal symptoms such as a runny nose
• At least one systemic symptom such as a headache, myalgia (aches/pains), sweats/chills (feeling feverish) or lethargy (fatigue).
Influenza can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and every year New Zealanders die as a result of this infection.
There are many reasons to get immunised and to do it early.
Influenza pandemics happen when a new influenza virus strain develops and spreads around the world. People who have not been exposed to a new virus are more likely to catch it.
Influenza pandemics can vary greatly making it impossible to accurately predict the eventual impact of a pandemic. The 1918 influenza pandemic, which killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide, started with relatively mild waves of illness and then evolved into the most severe influenza pandemic in history.
Every year we see a peak of influenza in winter. The timing of a peak this year is less certain because there is a global pandemic of a new influenza virus, Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu). Pandemic waves can happen at any time, and it is very likely that we will see another wave. This may begin earlier than usual, possibly in early autumn.
How did Pandemic Influenza HIN1 2009 (swine flu) affect New Zealand?
New Zealand was among the first countries in the world to experience what became pandemic influenza, with our first cases being detected in late April 2009. The World Health Organization officially declared the pandemic in June 2009.
During last year’s pandemic wave, New Zealand saw significant pressure on hospital services, especially during the peak of the disease. This was particularly the case for intensive care units.
Though pandemic influenza infections generally caused a mild disease, some people were severely affected. There were more than 3200 people confirmed with Pandemic Influenza H1N1 (swine flu) infection in New Zealand last year, with at least 20 of those cases resulting in death.
The groups that were found to be most severely affected by the pandemic were infants under one year of age, Pacific and Maori people, pregnant women and those with other pre-existing conditions such as heart and lung diseases.
It is expected that Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) will again be the dominant strain of influenza in the community in 2010. Although the timing of a wave of infection in 2010 is uncertain, experience in the northern hemisphere suggests that it may start as early as mid-March and peak in April.
That is why we are offering early immunisation to groups at higher risk of severe infection and to frontline healthcare workers, in addition to the annual seasonal influenza vaccination programme.
Who is at higher risk of complications from Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu)?
The following groups have been identified to be at higher risk of developing complications if they were to get pandemic influenza.
People who:
• are pregnant
• are morbidly obese
• have cardiovascular disease (ischaemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease and cerebrovascular disease)
• have chronic respiratory disease (asthma if on regular preventive therapy; other chronic respiratory disease with impaired lung function)
• have diabetes
• have chronic renal disease
• have any cancer, excluding basal and squamous skin cancers if not invasive
• have other conditions (autoimmune disease, immune suppression, HIV, transplant recipients, neuromuscular and central nervous system disease, haemaglobinopathies, children on long term aspirin).
Young children, especially Maori and Pacific children, have been identified to be at higher risk of developing complications.
Influenza 2010 Immunisation Programmes
The 2010 immunisation programme for influenza started in February and is a two-phase programme using different vaccines.
The first phase of immunisation is the Early Protection Programme for early protection against Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) which is offered to frontline health workers and those most at risk of severe outcomes from contracting the virus. This phase began on 1 February 2010. The monovalent (single strain) pandemic influenza vaccine that is being offered to these groups only protects against Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu).
The annual Seasonal Influenza Immunisation Programme is planned to begin early in March using this year’s seasonal influenza vaccine. This vaccine protects against three strains of influenza including the Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) strain. As is the case every year, this vaccine will be funded for people in higher risk groups, but other people will also be able to receive it from their GP.
Those identified at higher risk of complications should have both the monovalent vaccine, which requires two injections at least three weeks apart, in February, followed by the seasonal influenza vaccine in March, which provides protection against pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) in addition to two other common influenza strains.
Early Protection Programme using the monovalent vaccine (Celvapan)
The vaccine offered as part of the Early Protection Programme is the monovalent pandemic influenza vaccine, Celvapan®, produced by Baxter Healthcare Limited. Two doses of the vaccine are needed at least three weeks apart.
This vaccine protects against Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) only.
New Zealand has a limited supply of this vaccine, enough for 150,000 people, which is why the offer of this vaccine is limited to higher risk priority groups and frontline health workers.
Other people will be able to get vaccinated for Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) through the annual Seasonal Influenza Immunisation Programme as in previous years.
Seasonal influenza vaccine
People who have a greater chance of developing serious influenza complications include:
• Children younger than two years old*
• Adults 65 years and older
• Pregnant women
• People with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart failure, chronic lung disease) and people with a weak immune system (such as diabetes, HIV)
• People who are morbidly obese
• People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy.
*It is also important to know that children aged two to four also have a higher rate of complications compared to older children, although the risk for these children is lower than the risk for children younger than two years.
In light of the continuing Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) pandemic around the world, steps are being taken this year to ensure that everyone in New Zealand is given access to vaccines that will protect them against pandemic influenza as well as seasonal influenza strains. It is expected that pandemic influenza will again be the main influenza strain that circulates in the country this year.
Influenza is different from the common cold and includes the following symptoms:
• A fever greater or equal to 38°C
• At least one respiratory symptom such as a cough, sore throat or nasal symptoms such as a runny nose
• At least one systemic symptom such as a headache, myalgia (aches/pains), sweats/chills (feeling feverish) or lethargy (fatigue).
Influenza can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and every year New Zealanders die as a result of this infection.
There are many reasons to get immunised and to do it early.
Influenza pandemics happen when a new influenza virus strain develops and spreads around the world. People who have not been exposed to a new virus are more likely to catch it.
Influenza pandemics can vary greatly making it impossible to accurately predict the eventual impact of a pandemic. The 1918 influenza pandemic, which killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide, started with relatively mild waves of illness and then evolved into the most severe influenza pandemic in history.
Every year we see a peak of influenza in winter. The timing of a peak this year is less certain because there is a global pandemic of a new influenza virus, Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu). Pandemic waves can happen at any time, and it is very likely that we will see another wave. This may begin earlier than usual, possibly in early autumn.
Immunisation will reduce your chance of catching and spreading influenza in the community. It will also help keep you and those around you safe. The seasonal influenza vaccine this year covers Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) as well as seasonal strains.
The Ministry of Health encourages everyone in New Zealand to get immunised against influenza, and because of the risk of an early wave this year, to be immunised early.
The influenza vaccine is offered free to certain groups of people at higher risk of developing severe complications.
Don’t let the flu get you.
In light of the continuing Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) pandemic around the world, steps are being taken this year to ensure that everyone in New Zealand is given access to vaccines that will protect them against pandemic influenza as well as seasonal influenza strains. It is expected that pandemic influenza will again be the main influenza strain that circulates in the country this year.
Influenza is different from the common cold and includes the following symptoms:
• A fever greater or equal to 38°C
• At least one respiratory symptom such as a cough, sore throat or nasal symptoms such as a runny nose
• At least one systemic symptom such as a headache, myalgia (aches/pains), sweats/chills (feeling feverish) or lethargy (fatigue).
Influenza can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and every year New Zealanders die as a result of this infection.
There are many reasons to get immunised and to do it early.
Influenza pandemics happen when a new influenza virus strain develops and spreads around the world. People who have not been exposed to a new virus are more likely to catch it.
Influenza pandemics can vary greatly making it impossible to accurately predict the eventual impact of a pandemic. The 1918 influenza pandemic, which killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide, started with relatively mild waves of illness and then evolved into the most severe influenza pandemic in history.
Every year we see a peak of influenza in winter. The timing of a peak this year is less certain because there is a global pandemic of a new influenza virus, Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu). Pandemic waves can happen at any time, and it is very likely that we will see another wave. This may begin earlier than usual, possibly in early autumn.
How did Pandemic Influenza HIN1 2009 (swine flu) affect New Zealand?
New Zealand was among the first countries in the world to experience what became pandemic influenza, with our first cases being detected in late April 2009. The World Health Organization officially declared the pandemic in June 2009.
During last year’s pandemic wave, New Zealand saw significant pressure on hospital services, especially during the peak of the disease. This was particularly the case for intensive care units.
Though pandemic influenza infections generally caused a mild disease, some people were severely affected. There were more than 3200 people confirmed with Pandemic Influenza H1N1 (swine flu) infection in New Zealand last year, with at least 20 of those cases resulting in death.
The groups that were found to be most severely affected by the pandemic were infants under one year of age, Pacific and Maori people, pregnant women and those with other pre-existing conditions such as heart and lung diseases.
It is expected that Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) will again be the dominant strain of influenza in the community in 2010. Although the timing of a wave of infection in 2010 is uncertain, experience in the northern hemisphere suggests that it may start as early as mid-March and peak in April.
That is why we are offering early immunisation to groups at higher risk of severe infection and to frontline healthcare workers, in addition to the annual seasonal influenza vaccination programme.
Who is at higher risk of complications from Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu)?
The following groups have been identified to be at higher risk of developing complications if they were to get pandemic influenza.
People who:
• are pregnant
• are morbidly obese
• have cardiovascular disease (ischaemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease and cerebrovascular disease)
• have chronic respiratory disease (asthma if on regular preventive therapy; other chronic respiratory disease with impaired lung function)
• have diabetes
• have chronic renal disease
• have any cancer, excluding basal and squamous skin cancers if not invasive
• have other conditions (autoimmune disease, immune suppression, HIV, transplant recipients, neuromuscular and central nervous system disease, haemaglobinopathies, children on long term aspirin).
Young children, especially Maori and Pacific children, have been identified to be at higher risk of developing complications.
Influenza 2010 Immunisation Programmes
The 2010 immunisation programme for influenza started in February and is a two-phase programme using different vaccines.
The first phase of immunisation is the Early Protection Programme for early protection against Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) which is offered to frontline health workers and those most at risk of severe outcomes from contracting the virus. This phase began on 1 February 2010. The monovalent (single strain) pandemic influenza vaccine that is being offered to these groups only protects against Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu).
The annual Seasonal Influenza Immunisation Programme is planned to begin early in March using this year’s seasonal influenza vaccine. This vaccine protects against three strains of influenza including the Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) strain. As is the case every year, this vaccine will be funded for people in higher risk groups, but other people will also be able to receive it from their GP.
Those identified at higher risk of complications should have both the monovalent vaccine, which requires two injections at least three weeks apart, in February, followed by the seasonal influenza vaccine in March, which provides protection against pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) in addition to two other common influenza strains.
Early Protection Programme using the monovalent vaccine (Celvapan)
The vaccine offered as part of the Early Protection Programme is the monovalent pandemic influenza vaccine, Celvapan®, produced by Baxter Healthcare Limited. Two doses of the vaccine are needed at least three weeks apart.
This vaccine protects against Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) only.
New Zealand has a limited supply of this vaccine, enough for 150,000 people, which is why the offer of this vaccine is limited to higher risk priority groups and frontline health workers.
Other people will be able to get vaccinated for Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) through the annual Seasonal Influenza Immunisation Programme as in previous years.
Seasonal influenza vaccine
People who have a greater chance of developing serious influenza complications include:
• Children younger than two years old*
• Adults 65 years and older
• Pregnant women
• People with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart failure, chronic lung disease) and people with a weak immune system (such as diabetes, HIV)
• People who are morbidly obese
• People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy.
*It is also important to know that children aged two to four also have a higher rate of complications compared to older children, although the risk for these children is lower than the risk for children younger than two years.
I’m pregnant, why am I at higher risk from Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu)?
You are at higher risk because studies have shown that all pregnant women are at greater risk from complications associated with influenza illness, from both Pandemic Influenza and other influenza strains. Furthermore influenza vaccination of pregnant women has been shown to decrease the incidence of influenza in their new-born babies.
Pregnant women with coexisting medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes are at even greater risk of severe influenza-related illness, with a three to four times higher risk of having severe influenza.
Maternal influenza infection has been associated with an increased risk of maternal hospitalisation, fetal malformations and other illnesses.
Influenza infection in young infants often prompts hospitalisation and can predispose infants to pneumonia or ear infections.
You are at higher risk because studies have shown that all pregnant women are at greater risk from complications associated with influenza illness, from both Pandemic Influenza and other influenza strains. Furthermore influenza vaccination of pregnant women has been shown to decrease the incidence of influenza in their new-born babies.
Pregnant women with coexisting medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes are at even greater risk of severe influenza-related illness, with a three to four times higher risk of having severe influenza.
Maternal influenza infection has been associated with an increased risk of maternal hospitalisation, fetal malformations and other illnesses.
Influenza infection in young infants often prompts hospitalisation and can predispose infants to pneumonia or ear infections.
I’ve heard that many people over 65 are already immune to Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu). Should I get the influenza vaccine this year?
Individuals 65 years and older are not expected to be at higher risk from Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) as they are likely to have some pre-existing immunity.
However they do remain at risk from seasonal influenza strains so it’s recommended they have the seasonal influenza vaccine every year when it is available from their doctor or nurse.
For older people living in the community, influenza vaccine is associated with a 26 percent reduction in risk of hospitalisation for influenza or pneumonia and 42 percent reduction in the risk of death.
Individuals 65 years and older are not expected to be at higher risk from Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) as they are likely to have some pre-existing immunity.
However they do remain at risk from seasonal influenza strains so it’s recommended they have the seasonal influenza vaccine every year when it is available from their doctor or nurse.
For older people living in the community, influenza vaccine is associated with a 26 percent reduction in risk of hospitalisation for influenza or pneumonia and 42 percent reduction in the risk of death.
Does taking Tamiflu and being vaccinated improve my chances of avoiding influenza? Or is vaccination enough?
Tamiflu or Relenza are antiviral medicines that may be used to treat an influenza infection if given early in the illness or to prevent the influenza infection in some special circumstances during the period when the medicine is taken. Antiviral drugs cannot guarantee protection from influenza.
Vaccination is your best protection against the prevalent strains of influenza that may be circulating in the community.
For more information:
Ring the immunisation advice line at 0800 IMMUNE (466863)