Keep out of hospital this winter

Media statement
Asthma and Respiratory Foundation

16 March, 2009
For immediate release

Asthma Foundation: ‘Keep yourself and your kids out of hospital this winter’

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation is strongly advising people with respiratory illnesses to try and stay out of hospital this winter by ringing their GP’s surgery about a free influenza vaccination now.

‘Now is the time to act. Kiwis need to look after themselves and their families so that there’s not unnecessary suffering. Also we don’t want our hospitals under even more pressure this winter with people with respiratory illnesses who catch influenza being hospitalised,’ says Foundation Executive Director, Jane Patterson.

‘It looks like a bad influenza season ahead. Especially if you have a respiratory condition, influenza is much worse than a cold and can kill. It doesn’t matter how fit you are or whether you had a vaccine last year. The viruses continue to mutate ’, Jane says.

The vaccine is free until 30 June, 2009 for people with long term illnesses and a large proportion of people with asthma who use a preventer or with COPD [emphysema or chronic bronchitis] will qualify as ‘long term.’ Unsubsidised vaccinations typically cost about $25 to $30.

‘Vaccines have started arriving at doctor’s surgeries around New Zealand and with a two week immunity-building period and forecasts of a nasty influenza season people should book a vaccination now,’ Jane says.

‘And we strongly advise that vaccinations are sorted out now for kids who have respiratory illnesses.

‘This is an essential part of people managing their asthma and other respiratory illnesses well, ‘Jane says.

The National Influenza Strategy Group (NISG) – part of the Ministry of Health – launched its influenza programme earlier this month in Wellington. Health Minister Tony Ryall and a couple of other volunteers were filmed being vaccinated.

NISG spokesperson Virologist Lance Jennings said that this year’s vaccine offered protection against the ‘Brisbane strains’ that killed six children in Australia last year.

Dr Jennings also noted that the medical authorities in Europe have said this year’s influenza viruses could be the most deadly they have seen for 20 years.

Notes for editors:

1. COPD is an abbreviation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and generally refers to either emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
2. About 1 in 4 New Zealand children has asthma.
3. New Zealand has the second highest rate of asthma in the world, following the UK.
4. About 800 000 New Zealanders are affected by asthma and other respiratory conditions.

ENDS

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