Media Release
7th May, 2003
Widespread Support For Influenza Vaccination
Amongst Older People
In the first New Zealand study of adults’ attitudes to
vaccination, research by the Christchurch School of Medicine
and Health Sciences, Otago University, shows that most people
think the free influenza vaccine is a good idea. The study is
investigating attitudes to influenza vaccination amongst New
Zealanders 65 years and older.
Principal investigator Dr Rob Weir says the results are
very encouraging. Across the four regions surveyed there is
high recognition of the fact that influenza vaccination
protects older people against influenza and its complications.
“We surveyed people aged 65 and over in four regions:
Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Christchurch, and did
not find a great deal of variation in responses. 1558 people
replied and more than two thirds said they believe an annual
influenza vaccination prevents them from getting influenza,”
Dr Weir says. “Respondents were also aware of the risk of
complications from influenza and a high proportion (78%)
believe a free influenza vaccination prevents serious illness
from influenza”.
The Ministry of Health is funding free influenza
vaccinations for people most at risk of catching influenza;
those aged 65 years and over, and adults and children with
some chronic health conditions. The free vaccinations will be
available from most GPs from Monday March 17 until the end of
June.
Last year some 300,000 New Zealanders took advantage of the
free vaccines protection against the influenza virus.
The key to the success of the free influenza vaccination
programme since 1997 has been the vital role played by GPs and
Practice Nurses. When GPs recommend the influenza vaccine,
their patients usually have it. Most respondents said they
preferred to get their vaccination at their medical centre.
However, a significant proportion of older people (24%)
still do not take advantage of the free flu vaccination. This
is not because they don’t think it worthwhile, but rather
because of the belief they are healthy and not at risk from
influenza or its possible complications.
“Of course this is not based on the evidence, “ says
Canterbury DHB virologist Dr Lance Jennings who is also
involved with the study. “The facts are that older people who
are healthy are just as likely to go down with influenza as
people who have a chronic condition, which makes them more
vulnerable to this potentially fatal disease.”
Older people who do not have a free flu injection are also
more likely to incorrectly believe they will get influenza or
side effects from the vaccine. However, most agree that
influenza is a serious disease, particularly for the elderly.
The Ministry of Health, which supports the influenza
campaign, believes the Christchurch School of Medicine and
Health Sciences study confirms that most older New Zealanders
are convinced about the benefits of vaccination against
influenza.
ENDS
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