MIL OSI – Source: Waikato District Health Board – Press Release/Statement
Headline: Influenza vaccines now available in the Waikato!
Board chair, Bob Simcock receives his influenza vaccination from vaccinator Karren Moss
That time of the year is coming again – the flu season. Time to book an appointment for the influenza vaccination with your GP, local medical centre or see if your local pharmacy offers influenza vaccination.
Top health officials are vaccinating and their informed message to the community is immunisation is the best protection available against influenza.
Waikato DHB Board chair, Bob Simcock rolled up his sleeves for his yearly vaccination.
“It’s really important to me to stay healthy and get through the winter as well as I can because of the roles I have to play,” says Mr Simcock.
“It’s the same for all people. We have responsibilities and if we get crook we are not going to fulfill them.”
Influenza is much more serious than a cold, and the symptoms are much more severe. Symptoms of influenza include a cough, headache, fever or chills, body aches and pains, fatigue, and generally feeling really crook for about 10 days. As if that wasn’t bad enough, influenza can be severe enough to require hospital treatment, particularly in the very young, elderly, and in people who already have health problems.
So prevention is a great idea.
Those most at risk are eligible for FREE influenza immunisation, and include
adults and children with long-term health conditions,
pregnant women (any stage of pregnancy)
and people aged 65 years and older.
If you or your daughter, father, mother, grandparents, friends or work colleagues are in one of these groups, make sure they get the flu shot this year. Even someone who is fit and healthy can become ill with influenza, and risks passing it to family/whanau and friends who may have serious complications.
You can find more about eligibility for free immunisation and what long-term health conditions are on the website: www.fightflu.co.nz
If you are eligible, FREE flu vaccinations are available from your GP, medical centre or selected pharmacies. A list of participating Waikato pharmacies is on the Waikato DHB website: www.waikatodhb.health.nz/flu
Anyone else who wants to get protection from influenza can be immunised at their local medical centre; there will be a small charge but it will be worth it if someone is depending on you staying well over winter/spring, or if you can’t afford to get ill and be away from work.
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