Influenza: Don’t get it, don’t give it

Influenza (flu) is a common viral infection that affects people of all ages. It can be a mild disease for some people but can cause serious illness or even being admitted to hospital in otherwise healthy people. Around one in four New Zealanders are infected with influenza or ‘flu’ each year.

Vaccination reduces the spread of illness to the most vulnerable in our whānau and communities. The flu vaccine is recommended each year for everyone aged 6 months and over. Vaccination is the safest way to protect you and your whhānau from influenza. Having your immunisation on time is important as flu can circulate in the community all year round.

Immunisation is the best protection against influenza. Your flu symptoms are less likely to be severe even if you still catch influenza after immunisation.

You could still be infected with flu even if you don’t feel sick, and pass it on to others. Reduce the spread of flu if you are sick by:

• staying away from others including crowded places or events;
• regular washing your hands often for at least 20 seconds and drying them for 20 seconds or using hand sanitiser; and
• covering your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing – into a tissue, clothing or the inside of your elbow. Remember to put tissues in a lined bin.

Having an influenza immunisation every year can keep older people healthy for longer. Older people and those with certain medical conditions are also more likely to be affected by the flu. This is because influenza can make an existing medical condition worse (including asthma and diabetes), or increase the risk of complications such as pneumonia or heart failure – even if you feel healthy. The annual flu vaccination also reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks particularly for those with heart disease.

Having the influenza immunisation during pregnancy helps protect the hapū māma and pēpē/ baby against influenza. The flu vaccine is recommended and free for every pregnancy. It is also safe to get if you breastfeeding. The vaccine enables the transfer of protective antibodies to the baby so they will protected in their first few month when they are too young to be immunised. You can receive the flu jab at the same time as your FREE whooping cough/ pertussis or COVID-19 booster vaccine.

Stay at home from work, school or preschool if you have the flu so that you don’t spread it to others. Even a mild case of influenza can disrupt your everyday activities with family, friends, community and work.

Influenza is more than just a ‘bad cold’. It is a serious illness that can put anyone in hospital or even kill them, including young and healthy people. Symptoms may vary with age, immune status and health of the individual and can include:

• fever;
• sore throat;
• muscle aches;
• headache;
• cough;
• fatigue; and
• generally feeling miserable.

The fever and body aches can last for up to 5 days, and the cough and fatigue may last for two or more weeks.

Influenza vaccination is FREE for those who need it most

Getting immunised each year as early as possible before winter hits gives the best protection. This is because it can take up to two weeks for your body to start protecting you, and this protection can last until next flu season.

You need to get the flu vaccine each year as protection from the previous vaccination lessens over time, and the flu strains in the vaccine usually change each year. Over a million New Zealanders get the annual immunisation against influenza.

The influenza vaccine is safe, effective and cannot give you “the flu”. The influenza vaccination will not protect you against COVID-19 and does not increase the risk of being infected with COVID-19 or any other respiratory virus.

You can get your flu vaccine at the same time as your COVID-19 booster dose. There is no need to leave a gap between these jabs – as long as you are feeling well on the day of your flu vaccination.

Most tamariki aged 9 years and over need one vaccination each year to get good protection against flu. Tamariki receiving their flu vaccine for the first time will receive two vaccines given at least 4 weeks apart. The flu shot can be given with other vaccines that you child may need – such as MMR, chickenpox or Meningococcal B.

Book your flu and COVID-19 vaccines now at www.BookMyVaccine.co.nz. You can also call the Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 (8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday) for more information, advice or book a vaccination.

A FREE flu vaccine is now available to anyone in the following eligible groups:

1. People aged 65 years and older;
2. People aged 6 months and older with underlying health conditions including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and serious asthma;
3. Pregnant people – at any stage or trimester in the pregnancy;
4. Children aged 4 years or under who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness or have a history of significant respiratory illness;
5. People with significant mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; and
6. People currently accessing mental health and addiction services.

• Find out more about the flu vaccine, including answers to common questions about the flu jab (Health NZ).
• Find a flu vaccination clinic in Canterbury (Health Point).
• Find a flu vaccination clinic in South Canterbury (Health Point).
• Find a flu vaccination clinic on the West Coast (Health Point).

“Even if you aren’t eligible for a free flu vaccination, it’s definitely worthwhile getting if it means that you will avoid having a miserable time with flu. It could also prevent sickness spreading to whānau and friends, and possibly having to take time off work,” says West Coast Medical Officer of Health Dr Cheryl Brunton. The cost for a flu vaccine is typically $25 to $45.

Common side effects to the influenza vaccination

The flu vaccine doesn’t contain live influenza viruses and so can’t cause influenza.

Having side effects after your flu vaccine is a sign that your body’s immune system is working well. This can sometimes be confused with a flu infection.

You might experience:

• Soreness, redness or swelling at the site of the injection;
• Tiredness, headache, muscle ache or chills; and
• Fever, irritability and loss of appetite in children.

Most side effects should only last for a few days.

Don’t let nasties share your spa

Sharing the spa pool with family and friends is something that many people enjoy – but not so much if you’re sharing it with unwanted guests like infectious pneumonia-causing bacteria.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is encouraging all spa pool owners to regularly clean and maintain their pools, after a recent uptick in cases of people across the motu contracting legionellosis (also known as Legionnaires’ disease) from inadequately maintained spa pools.

“Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia that results in a chest infection caused by a bacteria called Legionella, an environmental organism that lives in moist conditions, such as soil, compost, potting mix, or spa pools and water systems,” says Dr Matt Reid, Public Health Medicine Specialist for the National Public Health Service (NPHS).

People can catch the disease by inhaling airborne droplets or particles containing the bacteria. This can cause illness ranging from mild to severe, and can sometimes be fatal.

It is more common in older people, particularly if they smoke, have poor immunity or have a chronic illness, and those with compromised immune systems are at increased risk of infection.

Dr Reid says recent ESR analysis of people who had contracted Legionnaires’ disease during the last year to March 2025, had shown some people had clear links with infected spa pool water.

Most cases of legionellosis in New Zealand come from potting mix or compost. However one type of legionellosis is associated with hot water systems.

“In these cases, the testing showed that in eight out of the 10 cases reported, the same type of Legionella bacteria was detected in both the infected person and in water samples taken from their spa pools. This means that infected water was the most likely source of infection,” Dr Reid says.

A further investigation by NPHS staff in the central region, following a recent case of Legionnaire’s disease after contact with infected water, found that the spa pool the person had bathed in had not been properly cleaned or maintained over time.

“The 10 cases detected in the year to March 2025 is also a significant jump on the three cases recorded for the same period the previous year. So we are reminding pool owners to make sure that their spa is regularly cleaned, maintained and disinfected using approved products.”

Dr Reid says regular and appropriate cleaning and disinfection are required to prevent the growth of Legionella bacteria in private and public spa pools, which is outlined in New Zealand Standard NZ 5826:2010.

• Find out more about Legionnaires’ disease and sources of the Legionella bacteria.

Care also needs to be taken when using soil and gardening products such as potting mix, seed raising mix, compost or other similar products, which can harbour the Legionella bacteria.

• Find out more about protecting yourself from Legionnaires’ disease when gardening.

Source: Health NZ media release (10th March 2025).

Immunise now as whooping cough is on the rise

Pregnant people, hapū māma, babies/pēpi, children and others at high risk from whooping cough are urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. A whooping cough epidemic was declared for Aotearoa New Zealand on 22nd November 2024. A nationally coordinated response now in place.

Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a highly contagious illness that can be particularly dangerous for babies, with cases rising across the motu over the past months to high levels.

1,232 cases have been reported across the motu since October 2024 with 101 cases hospitalised. One infant died from whooping cough over the Christmas period.

“Our hearts go out to the family who have lost their child to this highly infectious disease. This is the last news any of us wanted. It is one death too many,” says Dr Matt Reid – Public Health Medicine Specialist at the National Public Health Service.

“We are most concerned for newborn babies who are too young to be vaccinated. This is why it so vitally important for pregnant people and hapū māma to be vaccinated. This is recommended from 16 weeks of pregnancy as the best and safest way to protect their baby from this serious, and sadly, sometimes fatal disease,” says Dr Susan Jack – National Clinical Director Protection at the National Public Health Service.

• Find out more about whooping cough (Health NZ).

Getting immunised for whooping cough

Infants and young children also need be protected by being kept up to date with their pertussis immunisations, which are due at ages 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months, and again at 4 years. A further booster is given at age 11 years (school year 7) – though it’s never too late for children to catch up on their vaccinations.

“Vaccinations are FREE for all children aged under 18 – including visitors to New Zealand regardless of their citizenship. Adults are eligible for one FREE booster from age 45 (if they have not had four previous tetanus doses), and can get one FREE from age 65.

“It’s also a good reminder that children particularly need to be kept up to date with all of their vaccinations, such as measles, mumps and rubella too – and not just pertussis,” Dr Jack says. “Now is a great time to check that you, your whānau and tamariki are up to date with all of your immunisations.”

The FREE whooping cough vaccine can be given at your GP, Hauora Māori, Pacific health service, or at some pharmacies.

• Book your whooping cough vaccination online, or call 0800 28 29 26 for more information or assistance (8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday).
• Find out more about the whooping cough vaccination.

Signs and symptoms of whooping cough to look out for

Whooping cough is highly infectious and is spread by coughing and sneezing. It’s caused by bacteria which damage the breathing tubes.
The symptoms usually appear around a week after infection.

Parents or caregivers should seek medical advice for their tamariki if they have a cough that ends with a ‘whoop’ sound or vomiting.

Whooping cough in pēpi is unpredictable and can get worse very quickly. Babies under the age of one who get pertussis are more likely to become seriously ill and need hospital treatment.

Parents should seek urgent medical advice if their pēpi: 

• Stops breathing;
• Goes blue with coughing;
• Appears to have a cold, then cough and have difficulty breathing;
• Gets exhausted from coughing;
• Is not able to feed properly because of coughing and difficulty breathing;
• Loses weight because of difficulty feeding and because the cough causes them to vomit (be sick).

See your doctor if you think you or a family member may have whooping cough, particularly if they:

• have prolonged coughing spasms;
• turn blue while coughing;
• cough with a whooping sound; and
• are not vaccinated.

• Find out more about whooping cough (Health NZ).

Adapted from: Health NZ media releases (October and November 2024 and January 2025).

Protect yourself against Legionnaires’ disease

Warmer weather in spring and daylight saving brings many New Zealanders out into the garden. It’s also unfortunately the time when gardeners are most at risk of catching Legionnaires’ disease from bags or bulk loads of potting mix and compost.

Gardeners are being urged to take care with potting mix and compost – with 108 cases of the disease already confirmed across the country this year.

Medical Officer of Health Dr Cheryl Brunton, says Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia.

“It’s caused by the Legionella bacteria that live in moist organic material and people can catch the disease by breathing in airborne droplets or particles containing the bacteria.

“Gardeners are at particularly high risk of catching Legionnaires’ disease as the bacteria thrive in potting mix and compost,” says Dr Reid.

In Canterbury there is typically a spike in cases in spring that can be attributed to increased gardening activity and good weather. Now is the time for people to make sure they are taking the necessary steps to avoid catching the disease.

There are some simple actions gardeners should take to avoid getting Legionnaires’ disease:

1. Always work outside. Find a well-ventilated outdoor area and preferably with light winds.
2. Wear a well-fitting face mask. An N95 or respirator is best.
3. Wear gloves when handling potting mix or compost.
4. Cut – don’t rip. Carefully open bags of compost or potting mix with scissors and away from your face.
5. Compost dry? Damp it down. This will reduce dust.
6. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Do this after handling potting mix or compost and before touching your face or removing your mask.

“Legionnaires’ disease is a very serious illness and following these simple steps can be lifesaving,” says Dr Matt Reid.

The illness may be mild but can sometimes be fatal. It is more common in older people, particularly if they smoke, have poor immunity or a chronic illness. However, even healthy young people have died from Legionella pneumonia.

• Find out more about keeping yourself safe when gardening [1.47MB PDF].
• Download a poster about keeping yourself safe from Legionnaires’ Disease [114KB PDF].

Symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease to look out for

Symptoms of the disease can include a ‘flu-like’ illness with:

• dry coughing;
• high fever;
• chills;
• shortness of breath;
• muscle aches;
• headaches; and
• diarrhoea.

Anyone who has these symptoms should see their general practice team immediately for advice, and let them know they have been handling potting mix or compost recently.

• Get more information about Legionnaire’s disease (Health NZ).