Flu jab numbers slightly down as Covid takes priority
The number of influenza vaccines administered in South Canterbury in 2021 is slightly behind 2019 figures as Covid-19 injections take priority, health authorities say.
South Canterbury District Health Board director primary health partnerships Ruth Kibble said to May 31, 10,798 flu jabs had been administered in the region.
‘‘Currently half of our practices have immunised over 70 per cent of their target of the 65 plus year population,’’ Kibble said.
In 2020 nationally there was a 30 per cent spike in demand due to people concerned about Covid, with more than 2 million doses purchased and 1.77 million doses distributed by July 1 – more than any other year.
Kibble said the reason there was slightly lower demand this year compared to 2019 was because the start and finish dates of the flu vaccine rollout vary from year to year and Covid vaccines were prioritised.
‘‘Covid-19 vaccinations are prioritised over influenza vaccinations with the need for a two-week gap in between vaccinations,’’ she said.
SCDHB infection prevention and control nurse Angie Foster said 30 per cent of SCDHB staff had received their flu jab, though others may have had their injection administered at their GP or pharmacy.
‘‘At this stage it’s behind where we were last year and the previous year. However, we are planning to have flu vaccinations available to staff for an extended period to make sure everyone has access to it this year,’’ Foster said.
Ruth Lockley, who works in the health sector, said she has been getting her flu jab every year for the past four years because she thinks it’s ‘‘very important’’.
‘‘I value the opportunity to have it.’’
SCDHB occupational health nurse Laurel Brough has administered the flu vaccination for 16 years, both in the North and South Island, and said she has never come across anyone having an adverse reaction.
The vaccine is given annually because protection from the previous year’s vaccination lessens over time and the influenza virus strains change, so the vaccine is adjusted to target the latest one circulating.
The contents are inactivated and cannot give someone the flu, but when the body responds to the vaccine a few symptoms may be felt over a few days such as fever, headache or fatigue, according to the Immunisation Advisory Centre.
The vaccination is available from April 14 for 65 and over, and from May 17 for everyone else.
People at higher risk of getting very sick from the flu can get immunised for free. This includes pregnant women, people aged 65 and over, people under 65 with certain medical conditions, and children aged 4 and under with serious respiratory illness, according to the Ministry of Health.
The influenza immunisation programme runs through to December 31.
A two-week gap is recommended between the flu vaccine and the Covid vaccines so if there is an adverse reaction the correct vaccine can be identified, according to the ministry.