Ground floor, Ilam Health Building, 110 Memorial Avenue, Burnside, Christchurch : Ph 03 351 6198 :

April 4th, 2022

Flu Vaccines 2022

Appointments are now available for Flu Vaccinations. Bookings can be made over the phone.

 

Why is the influenza vaccination important this year?

This year, as COVID-19 restrictions ease and borders reopen, it can be expected that a resurgence of respiratory viruses will follow, including influenza. During COVID-19 outbreaks, influenza vaccination is important, as the co-circulation of both diseases leads to an increased risk of serious illness if both viruses are caught whilst unvaccinated.

 

Eligibility:

The influenza vaccine is recommended and funded for people who meet the eligibility criteria, as set by PHARMAC. This includes

– Pregnant people

– People aged 65 years and older

– People aged 6 months to under 65 years with eligible conditions

– Māori and Pacific peoples aged 55 to 64 years

– Tamariki aged 4 years or under who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness (including measles) or have a history of significant respiratory illness.

For a full list of eligible conditions, please refer to www.influenza.org.nz, or view the PHARMAC website: https://schedule.pharmac.govt.nz/ScheduleOnline.php

 

The Vaccines Available This Year:

Age Vaccine Dose Number of doses Cost per dose
(If not eligible for a funded vaccine)
6-35 months Afluria Quad Junior 0.25mL 1 or 2* $24
3-64 years Afluria Quad 0.5mL 1 or 2* $24
≥ 65 years Afluria Quad
(Funded option)		 0.5mL 1 N/A
(This is funded for all in this age group).
Fluad Quad
(Non-funded option)**		 0.5mL 1 No stock left

 

*Tamariki aged 6 months to under 9 years who are receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time should receive two doses, at least 4 weeks apart.

**Fluad Quad is available for purchase for those aged ≥ 65 years.
As we age, our immune system becomes less effective. This vaccine is designed to promote a stronger immune response, and so is potentially more effective for people in this age group.
Unfortunately we have already used our initial stock and we are unable to order any more of these vaccines.

 

For 2022, the influenza strains included in the quadrivalent vaccines are:

• A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus

• A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus (new)

• B/Austria/1359417/2021-like virus (new)

• B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus

 

COVID-19 and the Influenza Vaccination

It is safe to have the Influenza vaccination at the same time as all COVID-19 vaccinations, except Novavax. Please refer to the listed websites for information, or call to discuss any concerns or queries with a nurse before booking your appointment.

If you have had COVID-19, and are no longer isolating, there is no stand-down period required before having your influenza vaccination.

For more information, please refer to the following website: https://www.influenza.org.nz/sites/default/files/IMAC_Flu_Kit_2022_29-03-2022.pdf