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Deadly flu strains could hit this winter
Two flu strains - one potentially dangerous for the elderly and the other deadly to children - could be rampant this winter.
Cases of H3N2, to which elderly people are particularly susceptible, have already been identified in New Zealand.
A major outbreak of this animal-to-human strain could cause a surge in hospital admissions and deaths, National Influenza Specialist Group virus expert Dr Lance Jennings said.
Influenza B was also expected to dominate.
Three healthy children died rapidly from the virus in 2005.
Normally it affected school age children and was behind an increase in classroom absenteeism, Dr Jennings said.
Both strains were predominant in New Zealand before the swine flu epidemic took hold in 2009 and 2010.
All three are included in this year's flu vaccine, which has been given to about 910,000 Kiwis.
It is free until July 31 for people at high risk of more severe disease and complications, including pregnant women and people aged 65 and over and anyone with continuing health conditions such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes, asthma, kidney disease and most cancers.
The World Health Organisation uses data collected from GPs to determine what strains to include in the vaccine for the southern hemisphere.
The decision is made in October and it takes about five months for the vaccines to be developed and distributed.
Dr Jennings said New Zealand was on track to match the record high of more than one million vaccines set in 2010 at the time of the swine flu pandemic, which is now over.
"We know some people put off vaccination until mid-winter," Dr Jennings said. "But my advice to them is, don't.
"The first seasonal flu cases have already arrived and activity can rise very quickly in winter.
"It can take up to two weeks to develop immunity from the time of vaccination." Fairfax NZ
Two flu strains - one potentially dangerous for the elderly and the other deadly to children - could be rampant this winter.
Cases of H3N2, to which elderly people are particularly susceptible, have already been identified in New Zealand.
A major outbreak of this animal-to-human strain could cause a surge in hospital admissions and deaths, National Influenza Specialist Group virus expert Dr Lance Jennings said.
Influenza B was also expected to dominate.
Three healthy children died rapidly from the virus in 2005.
Normally it affected school age children and was behind an increase in classroom absenteeism, Dr Jennings said.
Both strains were predominant in New Zealand before the swine flu epidemic took hold in 2009 and 2010.
All three are included in this year's flu vaccine, which has been given to about 910,000 Kiwis.
It is free until July 31 for people at high risk of more severe disease and complications, including pregnant women and people aged 65 and over and anyone with continuing health conditions such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes, asthma, kidney disease and most cancers.
The World Health Organisation uses data collected from GPs to determine what strains to include in the vaccine for the southern hemisphere.
The decision is made in October and it takes about five months for the vaccines to be developed and distributed.
Dr Jennings said New Zealand was on track to match the record high of more than one million vaccines set in 2010 at the time of the swine flu pandemic, which is now over.
"We know some people put off vaccination until mid-winter," Dr Jennings said. "But my advice to them is, don't.
"The first seasonal flu cases have already arrived and activity can rise very quickly in winter.
"It can take up to two weeks to develop immunity from the time of vaccination." Fairfax NZ
