Influenza vaccinations offered in Northland
The influenza vaccination programme has started in Northland to protect against the most common flu strains entering our community.
Influenza (or flu) symptoms can include fever, chills, aches, runny nose, a cough and stomach upset and spreads quickly from person to person.
The strains of the virus that cause the flu constantly change, so having had the virus before does not stop you from getting it again. Each year, the vaccine formulation is reviewed and updated to keep up with changing flu viruses.
Northland DHB medical officer of health Dr Bart Willems, cardiologist Dr Marcus Lee and paediatrician Dr Ailsa Tuck all recommend Northlanders protect themselves and their whānau from getting the virus by getting vaccinated.
Willems said after two years of strict border controls in New Zealand, they expect an influx of visitors into our region in the coming months, which will increase the risk of importing influenza into Northland.
‘‘The vaccination also helps reduce the spread to those more vulnerable and unable to get vaccinated.’’
Tuck said it is important people are up to date with all their routine immunisations.
‘‘We are particularly worried this winter, as our baseline immunisation rates are low, and we haven’t been exposed to many of the infections that normally circulate when our borders are open. This means our immune systems haven’t had as much practice as usual. Young children, hapū Māmā, those living with chronic conditions, and our elderly are most vulnerable. Immunising pregnant women will make Mum and baby much safer.
‘‘Please encourage those that are eligible to get the influenza immunisation. This is particularly important for kids with asthma, those prone to chest infections or living with chronic medical conditions.’’
People aged 65 or over, pregnant māmās or those who have a health condition such as diabetes or heart disease are at greater risk of being affected by influenza. And children aged four or under who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness, measles or have a history of significant respiratory illness are also at greater risk from influenza.
All eligible people can be vaccinated for free at their general practice (GP), a vaccinating pharmacy or Māori health provider. Eligibility this year will also open up to include Māori and Pacific people aged 55 years and over.
The flu vaccine can be given simultaneously or immediately before or after the Pfizer Covid19 vaccine and the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine – there is no gap needed between the two different vaccinations.
It is important to get immunised if you are a health or disability care worker or frontline worker. Northland DHB offers free vaccinations to all staff, contractors, students and volunteers on their sites and suggests you check with your employer to see if they will offer to cover the vaccination cost.
Book your flu vaccination at your GP, a participating pharmacy or Māori health provider now.
NorthTec has a new logo colour as it starts co-branding with Te Pūkenga – the national organisation responsible for delivering vocational education and training across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The traditional teal of NorthTec will be phased out as the polytechnic continues its journey as part of the new, national network of training providers.
NorthTec Tai Tokerau Wānanga will be co-branded with Te Pūkenga, as will the 15 other institutes of technology and polytechnics and four industry training organisations, which together form the delivery arm of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology.
From April 2023 onwards, NorthTec and the other subsidiaries will then move to a single brand as Te Pūkenga.
From January 1, 2023, learners will be enrolled as ākonga (students) of Te Pūkenga. They will still be enrolled in the same qualification and will continue to learn in the same way, in the same place, with the same people.
Toa Faneva, NorthTec Te Ahurei chief executive, said: ‘‘Being a part of Te Pūkenga means we will be more connected to the other organisations delivering vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand, and we will work with them to share skills and knowledge to help our ākonga succeed.
‘‘Te Pūkenga has been set up as part of the Government’s Reform of Vocational Education, to create a network of on-campus, on-job and online learning giving learners more flexibility in what, where and how they learn.
‘‘As a subsidiary of Te Pukenga, cobranding represents a major step forward for NorthTec Tai Tokerau
Wānanga towards becoming one network of tertiary education providers.’’
The NorthTec-Te Pūkenga cobranding will be seen immediately on digital and online channels, print advertising and corporate collateral. To keep costs down, there will be a staged approach to co-branding other materials when they are being replaced or reprinted.
Large items such as signs and fleet vehicles will only be rebranded in April 2023 as Te Pūkenga.
NorthTec marketing manager Lyn Cheyne said people in Northland Te Tai Tokerau were used to seeing the NorthTec brand across the region.
She said: ‘‘The co-branding exercise will make the Te Pūkenga brand familiar to our communities, stakeholders and current and potential ākonga. Having the NorthTec and Te Pūkenga brands together signals our position as part of a large, national network which will have long-term benefits for learners and our region as a whole.’’
The Te Pūkenga logo is inspired by the harakeke (New Zealand flax plant). The base of the harakeke is the strongest part, from which all others grow, and the logo symbolises strength and growth through separate strands being stronger together.