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Record Number of Vaccinations in Waikato Region
12 August 2013
Record Number of Vaccinations in Waikato Region
A record 23,330 more Waikato residents have been vaccinated against influenza during this year’s Government-subsidised vaccine campaign period than were vaccinated during the same period last year.
A total of 95,140 Waikato residents have been vaccinated as of the 31 July 2013 campaign end date; a striking increase on last year’s total of 71,810.
And hand-in-hand with the impressive number of vaccinations is a lower number of identified influenza cases than usual for this time of year.
“Respiratory syncitial virus numbers remain high but influenza numbers are low within the Waikato region and nationwide,” Waikato DHB clinical microbiologist Dr Chris Mansell said.
Waikato DHB medical officer of health Dr Felicity Dumble says the higher rates of vaccination are very encouraging as the more people who are immune, the harder it is for the influenza virus to take hold.
However, many vulnerable people are still unprotected.
“People, especially those at greatest risk from influenza complications or those in contact with people who are at high risk from influenza, should be immunised as soon as possible. Influenza cases traditionally begin to rise sharply at this time of year, and although numbers are currently low now, we shouldn’t take that for granted,” Dr Dumble said.
“It can take up to two weeks to develop protection after vaccination.”
Influenza vaccine was free until the end of July for New Zealanders at high risk of complications - pregnant women, people aged 65 and over, and people of any age with long-term health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease (including serious asthma), kidney disease and most cancers.
The vaccine is still available for a small cost from GPs and practice nurses and some pharmacists.
The total number of New Zealanders to receive the influenza vaccination is this year a record 1,253,790, as of 31 July.
The Ministry of Health and the National Influenza Strategy Group (NISG) advise New Zealanders to take the following steps to keep themselves and their family/whanau safe from influenza this winter:
• Get an influenza
vaccination
• Wash and dry your hands often
• Stay
away from people who are sick
• Stay away from work and
school if you’re unwell
• Cover your coughs and
sneezes.
For advice about influenza immunisation visit www.fightflu.co.nz or text FLU to 515 or go to www.waikatodhb.health.nz/flu
For free health advice, call Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Vaccinator volunteers protect record numbers from influenza
A new initiative carried out by a small group of Waikato DHB staff volunteers dubbed ‘ward influenza vaccination champions’ has seen a record 4141 Waikato DHB staff members and contractors immunised against this year’s influenza strain.
Eighteen volunteers, spanning 15 departments, made themselves freely available to immunise other staff at short notice.
“The first year of introducing ward influenza vaccination champions has proved to be successful and has dramatically increased vaccination uptake for staff members,” Waikato DHB health and safety advisor Karren Moss said.
“Most departments throughout the DHB have managed to hit at least 50 per cent uptake. Women's Health Clinics and Women's Assessment Unit have in fact doubled their uptake this year with the help of these champions,”
The role was put in place to help get more staff vaccinated quickly. It was based on the principle that when staff are vaccinated, there is reduced risk of patients contracting influenza when the virus hits.
The champions began vaccinating staff on Monday 11 March and continued through until the Government-subsidised influenza vaccine campaign ended on 31 July
With the role in place, the number of staff and contractors vaccinated surpassed last year’s end-of-season total of 3555 three months before the 2013 vaccinating season ended on 31 July.
“We are certainly looking at doing this again next year,” Ms Moss said.
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About Waikato District Health Board and Health Waikato:
Waikato DHB is responsible for planning, funding and providing quality health and disability support services for the 373,220 people living in the Waikato DHB region. It has an annual turnover of $1.2 billion and employs more than 6450 people.
Health Waikato is the DHB’s main provider of hospital and health services. It has six groups across five hospital sites, three primary birthing units, two continuing care facilities and 20 community bases offering a comprehensive range of primary, secondary and tertiary health services.
A wide range of independent providers deliver other Waikato DHB-funded health services - including primary health, pharmacies and community laboratories.
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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