April 09, 2020
Flu vaccine push extended for kaumatua and health workers
Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter has acknowledged the work of Māori health providers such as Te Kupenga Hauora – Ahuriri in Napier to make sure kaumatua are getting vaccinated for influenza.
The Government has extended by two weeks, the period for priority groups to get their flu vaccine before it is made available to the wider public.
These include people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, people with certain chronic conditions, young children with a history of severe respiratory illness, and frontline health workers including hospital cleaners, aged care workers and home support workers.
The free vaccines are available until April 27 from GPs, selected pharmacies and Māori health providers.
This year’s vaccination campaign is a key component of the Government’s fight against COVID-19 by ensuring vulnerable groups don’t put pressure on the health system by getting sick.
Ms Genter says the ministry is working to resolve distribution problems that meant some providers ordered more vaccine than they were able to administer while others have run out.
So far 900,000 vaccines have been sent out to GPs and pharmacies and another 300,000 shots arrived in the country this week.
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