Influenza activity remains low and this is what we would expect at this time of year.

Overall influenza activity in New Zealand continues to be low with some small fluctuations, and this is not unexpected at this time of year.

Seasonal influenza ('flu) vaccine has arrived in New Zealand surgeries and this year more groups of New Zealanders will be able to get free flu protection.

Overall influenza activity in New Zealand remains at low levels. The seasonal influenza vaccination programme is being rolled out through GP practices over the coming weeks.

The Ministry of Health is currently making a monovalent (single viral strain) pandemic vaccine available through an early targeted immunisation programme.

During the week of 8-14 February 2010, overall influenza activity in New Zealand remained at the same low levels as in the previous week. Sentinel surveillance data show that visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) nationally remained below baseline.

The Ministry of Health continues to monitor for any early signs of an upswing in influenza - at the moment the rates of pandemic influenza remain at very low levels.

Vaccine update

Even though we feel like winter will never come, putting a reminder in your diary to make your seasonal influenza vaccination appointment is the recommendation from Waikato District Health Board medical officer of health Felicity Dumble.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) have awarded more than $700,000 following a call for research into the Influenza A (H1N1) 09 virus.

Calls to Healthline and GP consultations for influenza-like illness are low, at about the levels usual for this time of year. The Ministry of Health is monitoring for any early signs of an upswing in influenza - at the moment the rates of pandemic influenza remain at very low levels.