ABOUT THE NATIONAL INFLUENZA STRATEGY GROUP - NISG

National Influenza Strategy Group (NISG)
NISG was formed in 2000 to help District Health Boards and the Ministry of Health to meet the national influenza immunisation target.  It aims to increase public awareness of influenza, its seriousness and the importance of immunisation to prevent the disease. 

NISG’s primary objective is to increase influenza immunisation uptake within the New Zealand population with particular emphasis on those most at risk and eligible for free influenza immunisation.  People who are eligible are those at high risk of complications, either due to their age (65 years and over) or because they have an ongoing medical condition as defined by the Ministry of Health. A further objective includes the control of influenza through appropriate use of anti-virals.

The current members of National Influenza Strategy Group (NISG) are:

• Michelle Kapinga - Chair
• Mishra Suryaprakash, Ministry of Health (Senior Advisor - Epidemiology) 
• Dr Lance Jennings, Virologist, Canterbury DHB
• Dr Jenny Visser, Royal NZ College of General Practitioners
• Dr Sally Roberts, Clinical Microbiologist & Infectious Diseases Physician
• Dr Cheryl Brunton, Community & Public Health
• Dr Gregory Simmons, Taranaki District Health Board 
• Karol Marshall, NZNO College of Practice Nurses
• Vaccine suppliers, Lynda Johnston (Vaccine Manager, sanofi-aventis) , Joanna Hayward (Product Manager - Vaccines, CSL (NZ) Ltd)
• Brenda Saunders, Public Relations/Media
• Terri Cassidy, Maori Strategic Advisor
• Erin Lockett, Support Co-ordinator
  

Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC)                                                                      
IMAC is a nationwide organisation based at the School of Population Health at the University of Auckland.

IMAC’s aim is to provide New Zealanders with a local source of independent, factual information including benefits and risks regarding immunisation and vaccine preventable diseases. The information they provide is based on international and New Zealand research and is supported by a large network of health professionals.

IMAC is contracted to co-ordinate a national influenza promotional campaign. For more information on IMAC, visit www.immune.org.nz or phone 0800 IMMUNE (466 863).