Who is likely to catch influenza?
Influenza is easily transmitted and everyone is at risk of catching it.
Influenza can infect and strike down even the healthiest individuals, as well as those who have impaired immune systems or those that are in poor physical health.
Certain people are at high risk of contracting influenza and developing more serious complications. The New Zealand government provides free vaccination to many of these high–risk groups including:
- All people 65 years of age and over
- People under 65 years of age, including children, with chronic illnesses such as respiratory disease, cardiac disease, renal disease, diabetes and other certain conditions
For many people, immunisation is FREE - go to www.influenza.org.nz to see if you qualify to receive a free annual influenza vaccine.
