EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FLU 2022

The 2022 Influenza Immunisation Programme starts on 1 April 2022.

The Influenza Immunisation Programme runs until 31 December 2022 for all groups.

Eligibility for funded influenza vaccination

Funded influenza vaccinations are available for those who meet PHARMAC’s eligibility criteria:

pregnant people

people aged 65 years and older
Māori and Pacific peoples aged 55 to 64 years
people aged 6 months to under 65 years with eligible conditions

tamariki aged 4 years or under who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness (including measles) or have a history of significant respiratory illness

If you fall outside of these categories, we can still offer you a Flu vaccine at the cost of $30.

We are currently taking bookings for flu vaccinations starting from Friday, 1st April 2022. If you need an appointment, call us on 09 8339433.

TYPES OF FLU VACCINES THIS YEAR

The following flu vaccines are available in 2022:

Afluria Quad: For children 3 years and older and adults.
Afluria Quad Junior: For children aged 6–35 months (i.e under 3 years)
Fluad Quad: For adults aged 65 and over
Fluquadri: For children 6 months and older and adults.

NOTE: Fluad Quad vaccine was funded by the Ministry of Health last year but it is not funded this year. Fluquadri is also not funded. If you wish to have them, kindly contact our reception team for charges and availability.

To know more about individual vaccines, click on individual links below.

Afluria Quad and Afluria Quad Junior

Fluad Quad

FluQuadri

WHY IS INFLUENZA VACCINATION SO IMPORTANT THIS YEAR?

Immunisation is the best way to protect our communities from infection and serious illness. With the borders closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Aotearoa New Zealand has had few to no influenza infections for the past two years. This reduction in infections is likely to have led to lower-thannormal immunity against the virus in the New Zealand population.

As COVID-19 restrictions ease and borders re-open, it can be expected that a resurgence of respiratory viruses will follow, and seasonal viruses may not follow typical seasonal patterns. The lack of seasonal infection in 2020 and 2021 will likely result in reduced residual immunity and contribute to a higher risk of serious disease. While we can expect to have influenza circulating in our community this winter, we cannot predict what this influenza season may be like, therefore, preparation is of the utmost priority.

The presence of both influenza and COVID-19 circulating in the community presents a further concern due to the risk of co-infection, and an increasing burden on the health system.

Data from the United Kingdom’s winter of 2019–2020 suggest that COVID-19 and influenza co-infections have resulted in severe disease outcomes, with higher mortality rates in cases with co-infection, compared to those who only tested positive for COVID-19. Age-specific mortality rates were higher among older people with COVID-19 and influenza co-infection.

During COVID-19 outbreaks, influenza vaccination becomes increasingly important, as the co-circulation of both diseases leads to an increased risk for severe illness if both viruses are caught whilst unvaccinated.

CAN THE FLU VACCINE AND THE PFIZER COVID-19 VACCINE BE GIVEN AT THE SAME TIME?

The flu vaccine can be given at the same time or immediately before or after the covid-19 vaccine. If given at the same time, you will receive the vaccines at separate places on your arms with different syringes.

Read more about COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine