Rise in Flu cases – have
you had your flu shot?
BOPDHB’s Medical Director is urging staff
to get their free influenza (flu) vaccination
now as latest influenza surveillance for the
Bay of Plenty shows the number of positive
influenza (flu) cases has risen sharply in the
last few weeks.
Dr Hugh Lees says, “It’s a much worse flu season than last year.
We’re now seeing more than 60 positive cases of Influenza A and
B weekly at both hospitals. Last year we had less than ten.
“There is a higher prevalence of Influenza B this year and I’d
expect the numbers of people presenting with flu-like conditions to
increase further in the coming weeks."
The graph above shows the current number of confirmed cases of Influenza A
and B in Tauranga and Whakatāne Hospitals. Source Pathlab Bay of Plenty.
“We take the safety of our staff and patients seriously. If you
haven’t done so already, it’s really important to get your flu shot
now,” says Hugh.
Seasonal flu vaccinations are recognised as being the single most
effective way of protecting yourself, your patients, your whānau
and family and your colleagues from the flu.
Hugh says Influenza A and B circulating in our community, is
covered in this year’s vaccine.
Each year the World Health Organization (WHO) makes
recommendations for the strains that are in the flu vaccine
and the strains that are likely to be circulating around New
Zealand. This year’s vaccine includes:
•A/Michigan/45/2015(H1N1) pdm09 - like virus
•A/Hong Kong/4801/2014(H3N2) - like virus
•B/Brisbane/60/2008 - like virus.
While the numbers of staff who have had their free
flu shots is up on last year, we are still well short of our
85% target. In Tauranga 64.8% of staff have had flu shots.
In Whakatāne 62.9% of staff have had flu shots (compared
to 53% in 2016).
It’s not too late to have your flu shot. Contact our vaccinators
below to make an appointment or just to have a conversation about
influenza vaccinations.
Tauranga: [email protected] or call 027 705
9353 or (07