‘Never too late to vaccinate’

EASING PRESSURE ON THE SYSTEM: Whānau Āwhina Plunket chief nurse Dr Zoë Tipa (pictured with her mokopuna Kai) says it is natural to have questions about vaccines for tamariki, and the organisation is happy to answer them.Picture supplied

Whānau Āwhina Plunket nurses in Tairāwhiti are fielding a lot of questions about immunisations, with the flu vaccination now funded for ages three to 11.

Chief nurse Dr Zoë Tipa said it is understandable that whānau have concerns and worries about what is best for their tamariki.

“Our nurses, kaiāwhina, health workers and PlunketLine team are happy to answer questions about vaccinations and they have the most up-to-date information to share.

“We love questions. We want to make sure whānau can make a confident and informed decision,” she said.

In an effort to ease pressure on the health system, last month the Government widened the criteria for free flu vaccines — making them available for approximately an extra 800,000 people.

Most of the newly eligible are children aged three to 11 after a high number of pre-schoolers were hospitalised with influenza.

Tamariki under nine years of age who have not previously received the flu vaccine will need two doses given four weeks apart to gain full immunity for 2022.

Dr Tipa said vaccination is the best protection against the flu, as well as many other preventable diseases such as measles and whooping cough.

“It is as important as ever that tamariki also have their routine childhood immunisations on time.

“With the borders opening up, we are at increased risk from preventable diseases like measles, which can be deadly for all of us but especially our young ones.”

With less influenza circulating in previous years, New Zealanders have a lower immunity, so it is more important than ever to boost our protection and reduce preventable hospitalisations and pressure on the healthcare system.

“It's completely understandable that people have fallen behind with the vaccination schedule for their tamariki, given how busy and challenging life has been.

“The good thing is, it's never too late to catch up.

“And if you have any questions, you can talk to your nurse, kaiāwhina or health worker, or call our PlunketLine team on 0800 933 922. We are always here to help.”

For more information on vaccinations, visit https://tinyurl.com/2t6athwm or www.immune.org.nz