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Immunisation: Flu


Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

Key points to remember about flu immunisation

  • the flu (influenza) can be a serious and sometimes life-threatening infection
  • it is not the same as having a bad cold
  • even if your child is fit and healthy, they can easily catch the flu
  • yearly flu immunisation offers the best protection
  • it is especially important for children with certain long-term health conditions, who may develop complications from the flu (see Is the flu vaccine free for my child?). It is free for these children
  • regular hand washing, covering mouths when coughing and keeping sick people away from healthy people will also reduce the spread of flu
  • make sure your family is ready to prevent the flu each year - ask your doctor or nurse about flu immunisation, including its cost, or phone 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863)
  • the 2010 seasonal flu vaccine will also contain the pandemic strain (swine flu) 
For information about the flu (both seasonal and pandemic strains), see the following fact sheets on this website:

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How easy to catch (contagious) is the flu?

The flu virus is very easily spread and anyone can catch it – it doesn't matter how fit and healthy your child is.
 
It can spread through the air by coughing and sneezing as well as by hands, cups and other objects that have been in contact with an infected person's mouth or nose.
 

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Can I do anything to prevent my child catching the flu?

Flu immunisation offers the best protection. It strengthens your child's ability to fight the flu.
 
Regular hand washing, covering mouths when coughing, and keeping sick people away from healthy people also reduces the risk of spreading the flu.
 

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Which children need flu immunisation?

Flu immunisation is especially important for children with certain long-term (chronic) health conditions. This is because these children are most likely to develop complications from the flu, such as chest infections. Flu immunisation for these children is available free.
 
Children who are eligible for free flu immunisation include all those regularly using a brown or orange inhaler (prevention medication) for asthma. These children need the vaccine every year, before winter starts, even if they are feeling fit and healthy. It is especially important for this group of children to have flu immunisation every year because the vaccine has to keep up with the changing strains of influenza. See Is the flu vaccine free for my child?
 
The vaccine is also often recommended for those sharing a house with children and young people with long-term (chronic) medical conditions. The flu spreads rapidly within households and children are particularly efficient spreaders.
 
The vaccine is also of benefit to pregnant women, offering protection in pregnancy when flu can be more severe, and also offering some protection to the newborn baby.
 
All children can benefit from flu immunisation. By immunising your child (or children), especially if they attend preschool / creche / daycare, you can protect them and your family. Make sure your whole family is ready to prevent the flu each flu season. Ask your family doctor or practice nurse about flu immunisation or phone 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863). They can tell you how much the vaccine will cost if your child isn't entitled to free flu immunisation.
 

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Is the flu vaccine free for my child?

The next flu immunisation programme will begin before winter in 2010.
 
Your family doctor or practice nurse can tell you whether or not the flu vaccine is free for your child. It is likely to be free if you answer ‘yes' to any of the following questions:
  • does your child regularly use a brown or orange inhaler (prevention medication) for asthma?
  • does your child have a heart condition (such as congenital heart disease or rheumatic heart disease)?
  • does your child have cancer?
  • does your child have an ongoing chest (respiratory) condition, such as chronic bronchitis or cystic fibrosis?
  • does your child have diabetes?
  • does your child have ongoing kidney (renal) disease?
  • does your child have HIV / AIDS, an auto-immune disease or another immune deficiency?
(Your child will also need to be entitled to publicly funded health services in New Zealand. You can check the Ministry of Health's Guide to eligibility3.)
 
If you answered “no” to all these questions, there is likely to be a cost for flu immunisation for your child. Check with your family doctor or practice nurse. You can also see the National Influenza Strategy Group website for more detailed information about eligibility for free flu vaccine4.
 
Other household members could ask their employer about free or subsidised flu immunisation as many employers offer this to their employees . (The flu vaccine is free for some adults; for example, all those over 65 years of age and those with certain long-term conditions).
 
Note: During the 2009 flu season, the Ministry of Health extended the free seasonal flu immunisation programme to everyone. This measure was taken to reduce the impact of seasonal flu while we were coping with a pandemic (swine flu). This is not expected to continue in future years.
 
However, the 2010 seasonal flu immunisation will be free for some extra groups who are at particular risk from the pandemic strain:

  • pregnant women
  • very overweight people (for guidance, those people with a Body Mass Index 35 and greater)
  • children aged six months to four years old who are enrolled in certain GP practices in areas which generally have a high proportion of low income patients

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Can the flu vaccine give my child the flu?

Your child cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine. It is not a live vaccine. Many people confuse colds with the flu. There are many other viruses in the community which the flu vaccine will not protect against.
 

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Can the flu vaccine make my child sick?

Most people have no reaction to the flu vaccine. It can be given to anyone except those with severe egg allergy.
 
Sometimes your child may have one or more of the following responses:
  • soreness, redness, or swelling where the vaccination was given
  • fever
  • aches
These are usually mild and only last one or two days.
 

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Can my child still get the flu even if they have had the flu vaccine?

No vaccines are 100% effective for all people. Some vaccinated people may get the flu. If they do, symptoms are usually milder than if they had not had the flu vaccine.
 

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Where to go for more information about flu immunisation

Fight Flu (National Influenza Strategy Group)
The Fight Flu website features an interactive game which focuses on protecting yourself against the influenza virus which is constantly coming up with new ways to break through the body's natural defences. There is also information on who is eligible for free immunisation; not so fun facts on influenza; answers to frequently asked questions and a link to help people find a nearby doctor. Website: http://www.fightflu.co.nz
 
Immunisation Advisory Centre
For questions on immunisation, vaccination-preventable diseases or a specific vaccine, you can contact the Immunisation Advisory Centre. 

Call free on 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466863), weekdays 9am-4.30 pm
Email: imac@auckland.ac.nz
Website: http://www.immune.org.nz/
 
Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health website provides information about the flu and the influenza vaccination programme5.
Flu information brochure
 
NISG (National Influenza Strategy Group)
The NISG website provides After immunisation leafletinformation, including news updates, about the flu and flu immunisation. See their brochures:
 
 
 
 
 

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Acknowledgements

IMAC logo
 This fact sheet was produced in collaboration with IMAC (Immunisation Advisory Centre).
 
 
 

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Links   (these are the web addresses for the numbered links in the text above)


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Endorsement

This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 15/12/2009

Copyright

Fact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation.
© The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2010


The Paediatric Society of New Zealand
http://www.paediatrics.org.nz 		Starship Foundation
http://www.starship.org.nz