Seasonal influenza vaccine available

April 4 2007

Seasonal influenza vaccine available – higher uptake expected

This year’s seasonal influenza vaccine has arrived in New Zealand on schedule and has been distributed out to general practices for the last three weeks, allowing clinics to begin immunisation, the National Influenza Strategy Group (NISG) announced today.

And more New Zealanders than ever are likely to receive influenza immunisation this year if the huge demand for promotional resources, such as posters and brochures, is anything to go by, reports NISG. The group says orders from doctors and District Health Boards have already exceeded expectations and a further print run of the popular resources featuring former All-Black captain, Buck Shelford, is in progress.

“Research indicates the biggest influence on a person’s decision to be immunised is a recommendation by their health professional. So if health professionals are strongly promoting immunisation this year we expect a larger uptake,” says virologist and NISG spokesperson Dr Lance Jennings.

Dr Jennings says the influenza virus changes each year so annual immunisation is essential for best protection from this serious illness.

“We urge people to get their seasonal influenza immunisation as soon as possible, particularly those who are most vulnerable and at high risk of complications," says Dr Jennings. "For these people, influenza can be a serious and potentially fatal disease.

Studies among older patients have shown influenza immunisation produces a 53% reduction in pneumonia, 50% fewer hospital admissions with respiratory illness and 68% fewer deaths.

“Immunisation is our best protection. Being fit, active and healthy does not protect you against influenza – it's easily spread and anyone can catch it,” explains Dr Jennings.

Influenza immunisation is free for New Zealanders at high risk of complications - people aged 65 and over and anyone under 65 with long-term health conditions such as such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease, kidney disease and most cancers.

The season’s new vaccines are expected to give the best protection and natural immunity against the strains of influenza, designated by the World Health Organization, likely to be circulating in New Zealand in 2007.

The influenza vaccine composition for New Zealand in 2007 is:

 A(H1N1): an A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1)-like strain (15 μg HA per dose)
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 A(H3N2): an A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)-like strain (15 μg HA per dose)
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 B: a B/Malaysia/2506/2004-like strain (15 μg HA per dose)
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Immunisation against seasonal influenza is recommended by the Ministry of Health as part of its preparation for pandemic influenza.

Dr Jennings says that although seasonal influenza immunisation will not protect people from pandemic influenza, it is essential that people are aware of the seriousness of influenza in light of the potential for a pandemic virus to emerge.

Government aims to have at least 75% of people aged 65 and over immunised against influenza. According to the latest HealthPAC figures for Primary Health Organisations 64% of people aged 65 and over were vaccinated last year compared with 61% in 2005.

PHARMAC, the Government’s drug-buying agency, has secured supplies from two vaccine manufacturers for 2007– Vaxigrip® from Sanofi Pasteur through Merck, Sharp & Dohme NZ and Fluvax® from CSL Pharmaceuticals.

About 200,000 doses have already been distributed to practices nationwide.

PHARMAC Medical Director Dr Peter Moodie says all back orders were filled by early March and all further orders will usually be delivered in 24 to 48 hours.

“Last year we saw a 7.5 percent increase in the number of subsidised influenza vaccine doses. There had previously been small increases each year but we think that publicity last year helped make more people aware that there is a subsidised influenza vaccine programme.”

Dr Moodie says there was an increased demand for influenza vaccine in the recent Northern Hemisphere winter season and the manufacturers of the subsidised vaccine for New Zealand this season have taken that into account when planning stocks.

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