Children will be able to receive a free flu vaccine from Friday as a measure to reduce hospital admissions, and now more New Zealanders will be eligible for a second booster dose of Covid-19.
Covid-19 response minister, Dr. Ayesha Verrall, and health minister Andrew Little. Photo: RNZ
Health Minister Andrew Little said the government was expanding access to the flu vaccine after noticing an increase in preschool children hospitalized for the disease.
“We are making 800,000 free New Zealand flu vaccines available to children, including children, more of whom have to go to hospital,” Little said.
“Free flu vaccines are now available for all people over the age of 65 and for those at risk of serious illness or underlying conditions.
“This season we have asked for 40 per cent more vaccines. We have already seen more than a million New Zealanders vaccinated against the flu, but with significant pressure on our healthcare system we are stepping up efforts to vaccinate as much as possible. people possible. “
The vaccine will be free for children ages 3 to 12 and for people with severe mental health needs or addictions.
Starting Tuesday, a second booster dose of Covid-19 will also be available for all over the age of 50 and for health workers, the elderly and the disabled over the age of 30, with a six-month interval between doses.
The Covid-19 response minister, Dr Ayesha Verrall, said a second booster was available for all over-50s.
It was recommended to anyone over the age of 65, as well as to Maori and Pacific peoples over the age of 50, and to severely immunocompromised people, where deployment efforts were focused.
“Ensuring that people in residential care for the elderly have the vaccine at their disposal, we have already started it, and then through all Maori and Pacific providers and people with disabilities, making sure that the access is good and strong.
“If we see any evidence that we should reduce the age, we will of course ask the experts to advise us again,” Verrall said. Morning report.
The availability of second reinforcement has also been extended to health workers, the elderly and the disabled over the age of 30.
“My understanding is that this is the cut below which vaccine side effects may be most common,” Verrall said. “We know we have a wide range of health care workers and that this extra dose can be beneficial in those in whom we don’t care that they have additional side effects.”
“For those who are not at risk for severe Covid-19 disease, a two-dose primary course and a booster continue to offer very good protection. Therefore, for those who have not had a first booster, act ara “.
The second booster dose should be offered six months after the previous dose and should be postponed for three months after a Covid-19 infection.
A second booster dose is not recommended for pregnant and healthy people, including those without any underlying disease that may increase the risk of severe Covid-19.
“Keeping up to date with the recommended vaccines against Covid-19 will continue to protect you from the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, or death,” Dr. Verrall said.
“The combination of Omicron and flu makes this winter harder than normal.
“The best New Zealanders can do to make sure they and their families don’t end up in hospital is to keep up with their flu vaccines and boosters and Covid-19.”
Anyone who is eligible for a second booster can get one without a prescription at various places, such as vaccination centers without an appointment and by car, book online through Book My Vaccine or by calling the health line of the vaccine against Covid at 0800 282926.
Expanding access to the free flu vaccine to children ages 3 to 12 was in response to more children being hospitalized with the disease, Verrall said.
“While we knew the flu could be different this year, we didn’t know how different it would be. We’ve seen this increase in pediatric hospitalizations, so we’ve made the change now.”
Influenza vaccines are available by booking with GPs or local pharmacies.
Suggesting that masks should be mandatory in schools, Verrall said schools had not stood out in the evidence as a place where there was more transmission, so masks would still be encouraged instead of mandatory. .