Promoting and supporting influenza immunisation

This website and the national annual influenza promotional campaign is brought to you by The Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) and the National Influenza Strategy Group (NISG).

2019 Influenza Immunisation Programme

Influenza vaccine supply issue

Click this link Influenza vaccine supply issue Hot Topic on The Immunisation Advisory Centre website for the latest information.

The distribution of influenza vaccine in New Zealand has reached near record levels. Around 1.3 million doses of influenza vaccine have been distributed already this winter. This number is close to last year’s all-time record of 1.326 million doses for the entire season, and exceeds the number of doses distributed each year in 2016 and 2017.

  • There is no more Influvac Tetra available to order from HCL. Existing orders for Influvac Tetra have been cancelled. 
  • Strictly limited stocks of Fluarix Tetra can still be ordered, with a maximum order of 5 doses. 
  • Limited stock of Afluria Quad will however also be available for eligible patients aged 5 years or over, including pregnant women

High uptake of influenza immunisation means most people will have already been immunised this year. However, due to continued high demand for the influenza vaccine the Ministry of Health is asking general practices and pharmacists to prioritise vaccinating those at greatest risk of influenza:

  • Pregnant women.
  • Children aged 4 and under with serious respiratory illnesses.
  • People with severe asthma, heart disease, diabetes and other serious health conditions that make them more susceptible to influenza.
  • Those aged 65 and over.

Practices that have very limited stock of Fluarix Tetra, the highest priority groups are pregnant women and young children with structural lung disease, for example ex premature children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The Ministry will be working with PHOs to assist with sharing vaccines between practices if required, and will provide further information as this process is established.

Health professionals, please use this link to read the document  Managing influenza vaccine supply.

Please call your Immunisation Co-ordinator (not 0800 IMMUNE) if you have any questions about available stock in your area.

2019 Flu Kit

Distribution of this year’s Flu Kit to immunisation providers began on 20 March 2019. If you have not received a Flu Kit, please contact us by email at influenza@auckland.ac.nz. Please DON'T contact our 0800 line about the Flu Kit, we are extremely busy with clinical calls during this period. 

 Click here to download the electronic version of the Flu Kit Booklet 2019 updated 11 April 2019

Please note: An erratum has been published for the Flu Kit Booklet 2019. To view the erratum please click here.

 

Important Information

AFLURIA® QUAD (quadrivalent)

  • Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy.
  • Adults and children aged 5 years or older with severe asthma, heart disease, diabetes and other serious health conditions that make them more susceptible to influenza.
  • Those aged 65 and over.

INFLUVAC® TETRA (quadrivalent)

  • Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy.
  • Children aged 3–4 years with serious respiratory illnesses.
  • Adults and children aged 3 years or older with severe asthma, heart disease, diabetes and other serious health conditions that make them more susceptible to influenza. 
  • Those aged 65 and over.

FLUARIX® TETRA (quadrivalent)

  • Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy.
  • Children aged 6 months to under 3 years with serious respiratory illnesses, heart disease, diabetes and other serious health conditions that make them more susceptible to influenza.
  • When no Influvac Tetra is available, children aged 3–4 years (prescribed) with serious respiratory illnesses, heart disease, diabetes and other serious health conditions that make them more susceptible to influenza.

The influenza strains included in the 2019 quadrivalent vaccines are the:

  • A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus
  • A/Switzerland/8060/2017 (H3N2)-like virus
  • B/Colorado/06/2017-like virus
  • B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus

Influenza vaccination precaution

These are the only four cancer treatments in New Zealand when influenza vaccination may be contraindicated or need to be delayed: 

  • atezolizumab (TECENTRIQ®),
  • ipilimumab (YERVOY®),
  • nivolumab (OPDIVO®) 
  • pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA®)

The immune-stimulant actions of these treatments on the immune system increase a person’s risk of developing autoimmune conditions. It is not known whether receipt of an influenza vaccine whilst receiving these treatments or for up to six months after treatment increases a theoretical risk of triggering the occurrence of these side effects. Please contact the person’s oncologist or 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863) for current advice about influenza vaccination for these people BEFORE administering the vaccine.