With borders reopening and visitors to the country likely to bring strains of influenza absent from Aotearoa for the past two years, Southern Cross Health Insurance is offering a free flu jab to its members starting 1 April. This will help bridge the country’s immunity gap in time for the looming influenza season.
While influenza rates have been low throughout the pandemic due to border closure and lockdowns, the lack of exposure for circa two years also means the immune systems of many New Zealanders will not resist flu as effectively as they might have previously, creating an “immunity gap”.
“Last year’s RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) outbreak following the brief opening of the border between New Zealand and Australia shows the pressure such immunity gaps can place on the health system,” said Southern Cross chief medical officer Stephen Child. “It also puts vulnerable people – in particular, babies, young children, and the elderly – at high risk of becoming very unwell.”
Partnering with MedPro to offer members a free flu vaccine is vital for protecting the health and wellbeing of Southern Cross members, their whānau and the wider community, Southern Cross CEO Nick Astwick said.
“We know our members are worried about the increased risk to them and their family of getting sick over the winter months, so by removing the cost barrier of getting the flu vaccine, we hope to give our members the assurance that they can access the support they need to help prevent becoming unwell with the flu,” Astwick said.
The free flu vaccine is in addition to the free telehealth and mental wellbeing support Southern Cross offers all members.
The government has already revealed funding for an extra 250,000 flu vaccines this year to protect the country’s most vulnerable communities, meaning up to 2 million New Zealanders will be eligible for support.
“Combined with this flu immunisation offer to our [members], there’s potential for a significant number of New Zealanders to get a free flu jab and help us all better navigate the looming combination of influenza and COVID-19,” Astwick said.
MedPro managing director Bella Winter stressed the importance of getting a flu vaccine every year, as each year the vaccine is made to match any new strains. It is especially important with COVID-19 still circulating.
“There are potentially serious consequences if people develop COVID-19 and flu at the same time, so we’re strongly urging people to get their flu vaccine,” she said.
