Media Statement The Asthma Foundation 24 April 2015 If you have a respiratory condition, get your free flu vaccine now and stay out of hospital this winter. The Asthma Foundation is strongly advising people with a respiratory illness to get their free influenza vaccination soon. “The flu season is about to begin and it is important for people with respiratory conditions to get their free flu vaccination before winter,” says Dr Kyle Perrin, medical director of the Asthma Foundation. Last year around 1.2 million New Zealanders had a flu vaccination. The flu vaccine is free for: children from six months to under the age of five with significant respiratory illnesses; people with chronic health conditions; people with respiratory conditions; people with asthma who use a preventer; and everyone 65 years and over. “People with any long term respiratory condition, such as COPD, asthma and bronchiectasis are at higher risk of complications from influenza than others. For the best protection, we advise they get a flu vaccination now as immunisation typically takes up to two weeks to take effect. Influenza is a serious illness, every winter we see people admitted to hospital with the flu who are extremely unwell, and some require intensive care admission.” “Also, we strongly advise that flu vaccinations are sorted out now for kids who have respiratory illnesses. Flu vaccinations are an important part of effectively managing asthma and other respiratory conditions,” Dr Perrin says. “And no matter how ‘in shape’ we think we are, we’re still at risk. You’re never too fit to get hit,” Dr Perrin says. Free flu vaccinations are available until the end of July from your GP or some pharmacies. -‐END-‐ Caption for image : Chennoah Walford, a student at Victoria University, getting her flu vaccination from nurse Catherine Nelson. Chennoah has asthma and says influenza can lead to particularly serious complications for her. For further information contact Communications Consultant Cindy Borrie on 0274 433 905. Dr Kyle Perrin is available for interviews. Notes for editors In New Zealand • • • • • • • • • Over 700,000 New Zealanders take medication for a respiratory condition In 2013, respiratory conditions were responsible for 69,000 hospital admissions One in seven children (107,000) and one in nine adults (389,000) have asthma In 2013 asthma was responsible for 7,400 hospitalisations People still die from asthma, with 69 deaths in 2011 Maori have a higher prevalence of asthma compared to non-‐Maori children, tend to have more severe symptoms, require hospitalisation for asthma almost three times as often, and require more time off school because of asthma $800,000,000 is the conservative estimate of the annual economic burden of asthma Asthma affects approximately 235 million people worldwide and the prevalence is rising Asthma causes an estimated 250,000 deaths worldwide annually About the Asthma Foundation The Asthma Foundation is New Zealand’s sector authority on asthma and other respiratory illnesses. We advocate to government and raise awareness of respiratory illnesses, fund research for better treatments and educate on best practice. We provide resources on our website and support our affiliated asthma societies and trusts in providing education, support and advice. For more information, visit the Asthma Foundation’s website http://www.asthmafoundation.org.nz/.