Influenza A H1N1 Swine Flu - Public Information
H1N1 Early Protection Vaccine - 25-Jan-2010
The seasonal influenza vaccine for 2010 will be available in March through the usual clinics offered by the Infection Control and Occupational & Health Service. It contains three influenza strains, including the H1N1 Pandemic strain.
As there is a possibility that the influenza season could start earlier than usual this year the Ministry of Health has made the monovalent H1N1 available as an early bird vaccination option.
This monovalent vaccine:
-Covers H1N1 strain only
-Requires two doses three weeks apart
-First dose will be offered in the week of 8 February & second dose in the week of 1 March
-Information on how to access the vaccine in the community will be available shortly.
-This is a free vaccine for *frontline healthcare workers and individuals at high risk of influenza complications
The eligible group along with health care workers are:
- Pregnant women
- People under 65 years of age with **certain medical conditions
- Morbidly obese people
- Children aged 6 months to 5 years who are enrolled in certain designated practices serving high deprivation areas.
This vaccine (Celvapan) has just been licensed in New Zealand and has been used in Europe for pandemic influenza vaccination over the last six months.
You can have the two dose monovalent vaccine and also the single dose seasonal when it becomes available.
* Clinical and clinical support staff who are providing essential health services, and who are required by the nature of their duties to have close and direct contact with people who have or may have pandemic influenza AND who cannot reasonably modify their work practices or settings to further reduce the risks of exposure.
Laboratory staff including hospital, community, ESR staff who will handle specimens from patients who may have pandemic influenza.
** These include:Cardiovascular disease (ischaemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease and cerebrovascular disease)
Chronic respiratory disease (asthma if on regular preventive therapy; other chronic respiratory disease with impaired lung function)
Diabetes
Chronic renal disease
Any cancer, excluding basal and squamous skin cancers if not invasive
Other conditions (autoimmune disease, immune suppression, HIV, transplant recipients, neuromuscular and central nervous system disease, haemaglobinopathies, children on long term aspirin).
Signs to look for if an ill person:
- Starts to feel better, then gets worse
- Has a temperature of 38°C or greater
- Has chills or severe shaking
- Has difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Has purple or blue discolouration of the lips
- Is less responsive than normal, is unusually quiet, or becomes confused
- Is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down
- Has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, not urinating, and in infants, a lack of tears when they cry
- Has seizures or convulsions
If any of these things occur, or if you are concerned, call the local 0800 FLU INFO line (0800 358 4636) or Healthline 0800 611 116 or phone your GP for advice.
Infants and Children need clinical assessment if one or more of following is present:
- Shortness of breath (infants may manifest this as feeding difficulties)
- Increased work of breathing
- Unable to keep fluids down and poor urine output
- Very lethargic, irritable or drowsy
- Very pale or blue lips or gums
- Skin rash
- Underlying disease
- lung disease asthma, cystic fibrosis, heart disease, severe kidney problems, cerebral palsy, immune compromised, steroids, or diabetes
Internationally fatalities associated with Swine Flu have been predominantly in people 30 to 50 years of age. However in Australia hospitalisations are predominantly in children under 10 years of age.
If you do not have a GP contact your local Primary Health Organisation to arrange a GP before you need one. Choose the area closest to you from the two options below.
Do not turn up to the hospital without having first had an assessment by phone on the 0800 numbers or through your GP.
Further information; including translations of material into other languages is available on http://www.moh.govt.nz/
Travel Advice
At the moment the Ministry of Health advice is that if people have returned or arrived from overseas and they are well, then they can carry on as usual going to school or work.
People should refer to the MFAT website for travel advice
Parents and Caregivers
Parents and caregivers should consider what options are available to them to ensure appropriate childcare arrangements if school closures occur. School closures are not being recommended at this time, but if the situation changes they may be required at short notice.
Vaccine
The WHO move to phase 6 Global Pandemic is the global trigger for the preparation of pandemic vaccine. New Zealand has two existing contracts in place for pandemic vaccine and continues to explore all available options for the supply of such vaccine. However, vaccine delivery is not imminent because manufacturing is only in the very early stages.
Getting Advice
Members of the public with concerns should in the first instance call the local 0800 FLU INFO (0800 358 46 36) or national Healthline 0800 611 116 or their GP.
Routine Infection Control Advice for Seasonal Influenza
1 - Wash your hands with soap under warm running water. Alcohol-based hand gel can also be used if soap and water are not readily available. It’s a good idea to keep some with you in your pocket or purse when you travel.
2 - Practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette. Cover your mouth and/or nose with a clean tissue or sneeze into your elbow to reduce the spread of germs. Remember to dispose of the tissue and wash your hands afterwards.
3 - Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
4 - Monitor your health.
5 - Contact 0800 FLU INFO line (0800 358 4636) or Healthline 0800 611 116 or phone your GP for advice if you have prolonged or severe symptoms or an underlying health condition.
|