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Health Minister Dr. David Clark has announced that 55,000 additional doses of influenza vaccine will arrive in New Zealand next week and will be available to the public from the week of July 15.
"Influenza is a serious disease and immunization is the best protection available, so the fact that PHARMAC and the Ministry of Health have been successful in getting these additional vaccines is great news," said Dr. Clark.
"The 55,000 additional vaccines will bring the total number of influenza vaccines to a record 1.38 million, the highest number ever available in New Zealand in a single year.
"That means more people than ever are protected from the flu."
The additional vaccine is Sanofi's FluQuadri. He comes from Australia and should start arriving from Monday, July 8th. The Ministry of Health and PHARMAC worked closely together to find and fund the vaccine.
The influenza vaccine is free from general practices in pregnant women, people aged 65 and over, and children and adults with certain serious health problems. Vaccination pharmacies may only administer the flu vaccine free of charge to pregnant women and persons over 65 years of age.
"The flu season is already well underway and vaccination is recommended as soon as possible because it takes up to two weeks to become effective.
"I encourage people who are most vulnerable to the flu to talk to their general practitioner or pharmacist about getting vaccinated as soon as possible," says David.
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