|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Even though winter is coming to an end, hospitals have seen a sharp rise in flu-related admissions with Auckland recording its highest weekly rate of hospital admissions for severe acute respiratory illness in a decade according to Green Cross.
However, it’s not too late to vaccinate, Rachael Newfield from Green Cross confirms.
“Most New Zealanders will know someone who has come down with a winter illness over the past month. The impact of this late-season surge is being felt across families, workplaces and the health system,” she says.
“With influenza continuing to circulate widely, we want to make sure people considering vaccination know they haven’t missed the boat. There is still time to benefit from the added protection a flu vaccination can provide, helping reduce the risk of becoming severely unwell.”
Green Cross Health operates Unichem and Life Pharmacy outlets.
While vaccination for the flu doesn’t guarantee full protection, it reduces the risk of serious illness, a spokesperson from healthcare provider Emergency Consult confirms.
“Influenza continues to circulate widely, making some people very unwell and significantly impacting the workforce with time needed off work to recover.
“Importantly, many of the patients presenting to emergency departments with severe flu-related complications have not received their flu vaccination, highlighting the value of getting protected.”
A range of flu vaccines is available this season, including funded and unfunded options based on age and existing health conditions.
