M.I.A.
OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released by the Treasury.
District Health Boards across New Zealand are kicking off a push to encourage people to get their flu jabs ahead of what is expected to be a tough winter.
MidCentral DHB chief medical officer Dr Kelvin Billinghurst says it is important that people who are high-risk prepare for winter by getting their flu vaccine and Covid-19 boosters as soon as possible.
“Flu season is kicking off, the days are starting to get colder, and we’re going to see the flu make its way through the community.”
Billinghurst says that the upcoming flu season is expected to be particularly difficult.
“Some people can get very sick when they catch the flu – in most years, influenza hospitalises thousands of people, and some people die.
“After two years of lockdowns, mandates and social distancing measures in place, the flu hasn’t really had a chance to take hold. With the borders opening, we will be exposed to the circulating flu virus from overseas which is a serious concern for those who are vulnerable,” says Billinghurst.
“Receiving an annual flu jab is important because immunity wanes over time, and the vaccine changes to respond to the circulating influenza viruses at the time.”
He says it is safe to receive the flu vaccine alongside your Covid-19 vaccine.
Waikato DHB is also encouraging people to get vaccinated against the flu this winter.
“Our borders being closed for two years protected us from influenza, but now they’ve re-opened we will be exposed to new flu variants along with other viruses such as measles,” says Dr Felicity Dumble, Waikato DHB medical officer of health.
“Disease outbreaks can have serious consequences for families and communities. Those who are not immunised, whether that’s by choice or other circumstances, are worse affected by these outbreaks.”
The flu vaccine is available free of charge across New Zealand for a number of people, including those over 65 years old, Māori and Pacific people aged 55 and over, adults with health conditions such as asthma and diabetes, children aged four years or under with a history of significant respiratory illness, and pregnant women.
Those who don’t qualify for the funded vaccine can pay to be vaccinated through their GP, pharmacists and other private immunisation providers.
Like many manufacturers around the world, European agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturers are currently operating in a difficult market environment. But they are heading to the world’s largest agricultural machinery event in Hanover next month with a degree of cautious optimism.
Established in 2021, the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards champion the important contribution parts and service technicians make to the Australian and New Zealand agriculture, construction and forestry industries.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers from all regions to take part in the final season of the Sheep Poo Study aiming to build a clearer picture of how facial eczema (FE) affects farms across New Zealand.
New Zealand is closer to eradicating bovine TB than ever before, but possums remain a threat, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows why New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate.
OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…