Seasonal/regional influenza – update March 2011

The University will continue to monitor incidences of seasonal/regional ‘flu.

Where a specific virus or risk becomes known (as in the case of H1N1 in 2009), specific management will be identified. It is important to keep informed and to inform the Health, Safety and Wellness Manager where appropriate (see contact details below).

Annual influenza immunisation is recommended to give you the best protection. Although the 2011 influenza vaccine covers the same strains as in 2010 we recommend vaccination this year because the immunity offered by your previous vaccination will have lessened over time. A further vaccination is, therefore, likely to offer better protection for the 2011 season.

Those eligible for a free seasonal influenza vaccination:

Pregnant women.
Anyone aged 65 years or over.
Anyone aged under 65 years with any of the following medical conditions:
- Cardiovascular disease.
- Chronic respiratory disease (asthma if on regular preventive therapy;
- other chronic respiratory disease with impaired lung function).
- Diabetes.
- Chronic renal failure.
- Cancer (current) excluding minor skin cancers.
- Other conditions (eg, autoimmune disease, immune suppression, HIV).

University Health Services will be offering ‘Flu Vaccination Clinics for staff and students from late March through to June. Call the City, Tāmaki, Epsom and Grafton clinics for specific campus site timings or 373 7599 ext 87681 for more information. The cost is $23 for staff and $15 for students unless eligible for the free vaccine (as per the conditions above).

The University encourages staff and students (subject to personal medical advice) to consider having a “flu shot”.

Travel
All members of the University, students and staff, are alerted to the higher risks at times when University members are intending to, or returning from, travel, especially overseas (study and semester breaks). University members are urged to take extra care and to check travel destinations and advisories.

Members travelling overseas should be especially careful on returning to New Zealand to remain alert to any symptoms or possible contact with infected persons or place. When travelling abroad you should follow basic precautions to prevent transmission of ‘flu viruses by regularly washing and drying hands, staying away from people who are unwell, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying away from others if they themselves become sick.

The MFAT SafeTravel site should always be consulted.

Contacts and links
If people would like posters or pamphlets on how to protect themselves and others from influenza please contact Ian O’Keefe, the Health, Safety & Wellness Manager. i.okeefe@auckland.ac.nz. The following may be useful: