it?s possible the influenza season will start in Autumn this year
?If the northern hemisphere example is anything to go by then it?s possible the influenza season will start in Autumn this year,? says Hutt Valley DHB medical officer of health Margot McLean. The Wellington region had one of the highest rates of H1N1 Influenza, or swine flu, in the country last year. District health boards are starting their campaign as early as February to get high-risk people vaccinated. ?What happened in Europe over winter with swine flu is a good indicator of what will happen here,? says Dr McLean. The Ministry of Health is awaiting results of nation-wide blood testing to find out how many people contracted the virus last year. ?In a few weeks the results will tell us in general terms the number of people in the population who caught it. ?The info will tell us what to expect this year, if the proportion is high then we may see fewer cases this year,? she says. DHBs are preparing for swine flu in two ways, firstly with free February vaccinations for ?at risk? groups. At risk people includes: children aged between four months and five years, pregnant mothers, and people with chronic medical symptoms, such as being heavily obese. ?This free immunisation will be available from all primary health care clinics, and the poorer areas are being especially targeted.? Secondly, in March GPs and clinics will be recalling people for seasonal vaccinations which will include the H1N1 09? strand and two other H1N1 strands. Dr McLean says people generally know if they contracted the virus last year, but that they cannot be certain without a blood test. ?Twenty people were known to have died from swine flu across New Zealand last year ... swine will probably be the main one this year. ?It?s important for people to keep in mind before winter arrives and be prepared,? says Dr McLean.
