PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR WHĀNAU

Getting immunised is the best way to protect you when the weather turns cold, protecting you, your whānau and community against infectious diseases. Making your health a priority will help reduce the risk of getting sick, and allowing your immune system to get stronger against any viruses heading into winter. During the colder months is when many respiratory viruses including influenza and COVID-19 are most active. Both are highly contagious illnesses, and both show a seasonal pattern with increased transmission during colder months. “Getting vaccinated helps us to protect our most vulnerable members in the community,” said Sherryn Edwardson, Immunisation Coordinator at Pegasus Health. “It may seem early (when we consider the warm summer that we have experienced in Waitaha, Canterbury), but our thoughts and planning are focused on the health challenges. It is a good time to consider receiving your influenza vaccination to protect yourself and your whānau. This is particularly important if you work with vulnerable people, have a chronic medical condition, are in the older age group or live with someone who is immunocompromised. Vaccinations tend to be available from late March to early April so now is a great time to start thinking about what will help protect you through the colder winter months,” Michael McIlhone, Director of Nursing at Pegasus Health said. If you would like to book a vaccine for you or your whānau make an appointment with your family doctor or check bookmyvaccine.health.nz