Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: Te Whatu Ora Taranaki
As rising cases of COVID-19 and influenza (flu) put increasing pressure on Taranaki’s health services, Te Whatu Ora Taranaki and its community providers are strongly urging the community to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu.
Gill Campbell, Te Whatu Ora Taranaki interim district director says, “We are seeing cases and hospital admissions increase week on week. ESR surveillance testing of people admitted to hospital with severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) over the last three weeks shows around 20% are due to COVID-19 and more than 50% are due to flu.
“The majority of patients being admitted to hospital with the flu are very with Influenza A H3, including three people needing ICU care. This is one of four strains included in the 2022 flu vaccine which reiterates the all-important message that getting the flu jab is quite literally the best protection we have against contracting this serious illness.”
There are also increasing reports of people not testing for COVID-19, reporting RAT tests late, or not reporting them at all. This is resulting in many people not getting the medical and social supports they need, when they need it, and are instead needing avoidable medical intervention.
Severe illness requiring hospital admission is avoidable for most people via vaccination and primary care data shows that around 70% of those aged 65 years and older have received a flu vaccine this year. However, this means there is a significant portion of the community who are at higher risk that remain partially vaccinated, or not vaccinated at all.
Dr Catherine Jackson, Te Whatu Ora Taranaki medical officer of health says, “In Taranaki, the risk of a COVID-19 admission for Māori and Pacific adults over 45 years is at least double the risk of that for people of other ethnicities.
The more layers of protection we put in place – particularly vaccinations, but also mask wearing, washing your hands, social distancing and staying home from work and school if you’re māuiui/sick – the more we can reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Dr Jackson adds, “If people have had COVID-19 and at least three months have passed, they can now get their next free vaccination. With cases continuing to increase in New Zealand, we’re heading towards a second Omicron wave, so being fully vaccinated and boosted is especially important.”
Second boosters are now available to high-risk groups, with additional vaccine brands available (Novavax and AstraZeneca, the latter via prescription). Free flu vaccination has also been extended to children aged 3-12 years and people with severe mental health or addiction needs.
Immunising children aged 3-12 years against the flu not only reduces their risk of getting it, but also reduces the risk of them passing it on to whānau, which is so important when it comes to infants, older whānau, and whānau with pre-existing illnesses.
Sam Smith, Pinnacle GP leader says, “In the last month we have seen schools experience huge absences due to COVID-19 and flu and this of course has had a flow-on effect on our practices.
“All of this illness is additional to their usual workload, and with the flu due to peak in the coming weeks, the pressure on general practices is really mounting.
“We’re working closely with Te Whatu Ora Taranaki to help limit the spread of respiratory illnesses like flu and COVID-19, and ease the load on the healthcare community. We absolutely support the calls for vaccination and encourage people to continue to wear a face mask, even if you’re fully vaccinated as it’s an effective tool in keeping you, your whānau and your community safe.”
Anyone who needs a flu, COVID-19 or Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination should visit their GP, pharmacy, Māori health provider. They can also drop into the New Plymouth and Hāwera Vaccination Centres (open every day), or one the many Winter Wellness Clinics happening every week in communities throughout Taranaki.
Additional information:
– The flu vaccine is free for people aged 65+, Māori and Pacific people aged 55+, people under 65 with certain medical conditions, children aged 3-12 and people with serious mental health and addiction needs.
– From 14 July, people 18 years and older will be able to access second boosters for both AstraZeneca and Novavax via Book My Vaccine.
– The addition of AstraZeneca and Novavax means people now have a choice in their second booster vaccination, with the Pfizer second booster already available.
– For the Novavax second booster NO prescription is needed. For the AstraZeneca second booster a prescription IS needed.
– If people are sick and on a low income they may be eligible for support from Work and Income. Find out more here.
– People may be able to get a one-off Special Needs Grant to help pay an essential or emergency cost.
